Imagine a place where animals in need find safety, care and love—a haven where they can truly live free from slaughter and abuse. A place where humans in need can also find support and retreat. This dream is becoming a reality through the wonderful Mukti Sanctuary. Currently operating as a temporary rehab and rescue run by two passionate animal rescuers, they have run out of space to help all the animals in need and are desperate to expand into a larger sanctuary. They are crowdfunding to make this dream come true and need the support of kind and caring individuals to help bring it to life.

We spoke to Beth Crivelli, the founder of Mukti Sanctuary, who has been rescuing animals for as long as she can remember, to learn more about the sanctuary, its work and its future plans.

VegClub (VC): What is the aim of Mukti Sanctuary and why is it important to you?

Beth Crivelli (BC): Mukti is a Sanskrit word meaning liberation and freedom. As a sanctuary, Mukti’s aim is to rescue, rehabilitate, shelter, and, where possible, rehome as many animals as we can, giving them the freedom they deserve. We also plan to expand in the future to provide support for humans in need, offering food, shelter, therapy, free workshops and more.

VC: What does a typical day look like for Mukti Sanctuary?

BC: Right now, Mukti is all-consuming and hard to separate from my daily life. Depending on how many critical cases I have, my mornings can start as early as 6 am. The day revolves around cleaning, feeding and medicating the animals, along with walking the dogs. My freelance work (something has to pay the bills) is interspersed with more cleaning, feeding, and medicating. Evenings are dedicated to yoga teaching, vet visits, or helping local shelters, while weekends involve additional animal care, errands and administrative work. It’s a non-stop cycle, but it’s all worth it.

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The overlooked charm of pigeons

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Often misunderstood and unfairly maligned, pigeons are one of the most fascinating and resilient birds in the world. Known for their intelligence, loyalty, and homing abilities, these birds have lived alongside humans for thousands of years, adapting to urban and rural landscapes alike. Despite their resourcefulness, pigeons are frequently overlooked, mistreated, or considered pests. Yet, they play an important role in ecosystems, acting as seed dispersers and a vital food source for predators. At Mukti Sanctuary, these remarkable creatures are finally getting the recognition and care they deserve. As Portugal’s first sanctuary dedicated to rescuing pigeons, Mukti is giving these gentle birds a second chance at life, challenging the stigma and highlighting their intrinsic value.

VC: You’re crowdfunding to expand. What are your plans for the sanctuary’s future?

BC: We’re raising funds to move into a larger space with land to accommodate more animals. Right now, we receive far more rescue requests than we can manage. For example, many street cats need warm, safe spaces because they’re elderly or unwell, but we don’t have room for them. Pigeons that cannot be released also need a proper aviary where they can enjoy their lives.

There’s an urgent need to rescue chickens and dogs living in dire conditions, and we dream of providing a home for retired dairy cows, saving them from slaughter. To achieve all this, we need to raise around €100,000–€130,000 to secure a farm and set up the necessary facilities.

Beyond the animals, we also want Mukti to be a space for humans. We aim to run retreats and wellbeing workshops to generate income for the sanctuary, including free sound therapy sessions for those in need.

VC: You’re the only shelter in Portugal that rescues pigeons. Is this a cause close to your heart?

BC: Absolutely. Pigeons are misunderstood and persecuted by many, but they are intelligent, inquisitive, and compassionate animals. Unfortunately, there’s nowhere else in Portugal that officially rescues and provides care for pigeons. Mukti will be the first sanctuary to give these incredible birds the sanctuary they deserve.

Help them open Mukti Sanctuary

VegClub is proud to announce its official support for Mukti Sanctuary. We will donate a percentage of our profits to help them achieve their goals and provide ongoing support in any way we can. Every single donation makes a difference, no matter how small.

To support Mukti with your donation, you can click here.

If you enjoy our articles and want to read more of our content, check out clean, green and cruelty-free: Ireland is leading the way with vegan beauty. Perhaps take a look at running on plants: Harvey Lewis on ultra endurance, veganism and inspiring change. Or explore Duvet Hog: The bedding of your dreams is vegan.