Interview with Nancy, a loyal sponsor of our Disease Prevention Project
For Nancy Peppels-Wijninga (48) from Den Hoorn, the love for animals has been a matter of course her entire life.
Together with her husband Eelco and their five-year-old son Pelle, she forms a warm family in which dogs take a central place. "I work in healthcare as a supporter for client councils and a confidential advisor for employees, but in addition, I am creatively engaged with textile forms and printing techniques such as screen printing."
At their home currently live two Spanish greyhounds: Cooper, a thirteen-year-old Andalusian Podenco from Andalusia, and Dio, a nine-year-old Ibizan Podenco from Ibiza.
Last year they said goodbye to Nanuq, a podenco-galgo mix from Tenerife.
Soon the pack will be expanded with another special dog: an eight-year-old female Podenco, found on the street in Ibiza. 'She has leishmania, but we assume that we will still have many beautiful years together. We take care of her with love.'
The love for animals started early. Nancy grew up with a mother who did everything for animals in need.
After her death, Nancy took over her pets: three cats and two dogs. “That’s also where my husband’s love for animals began.”
Later, they became involved in rescue work together. The meeting with their first podenco, Dionisio, changed everything. Although he was with them for only a year and died from the effects of leishmania, he left a lasting impression.
"He planted the seed for what we jokingly call the podenco virus."
Their involvement grew into action. In 2018, Nancy and Eelco founded their own foundation: Stichting Dawn Tail Dusk.
Nancy was already active in fundraising for animal welfare at the time and created bags and screen prints under the name Mr. Podenco, the proceeds of which went to rescue organizations.
Through Instagram, Nancy got in touch with Petra from Perro&Co. When the family traveled to Lisbon at the beginning of 2025, they wanted to make a local impact for animals.
Petra pointed them to Perro&Co. That year they sponsored two dogs through the prevention program, not only to help the dogs, but with our sponsorship we also want to let the staff in the shelters know that their work is appreciated.”
When the question arose which dog they wanted to sponsor for 2026, choosing proved impossible.
"We were looking at the website together with our little son and thought: maybe three dogs? Or six? Then my husband asked: how many are there actually? It turned out to be twenty." The family didn't have to think long. They decided as a family to sponsor all twenty dogs!
Preventive care is invaluable for Nancy. 'During visits to shelters in Europe, we have seen with our own eyes how vulnerable these animals are.'
Preventive care may seem like a drop in the ocean, but it gives dogs a fair start and greatly increases their chances of being adopted.
We are indeed in a position to adopt an older dog with a medical problem, but prevention is always better than cure.
Interestingly, Nancy does not follow the sponsored dogs closely. "I completely trust the caretakers and volunteers. They already have enough to do; I don't need constant updates. If something important changes, we will hear about it naturally."
Their five-year-old son now understands exactly why the family is doing this. "We tell him at home that all dogs can get a vitamin shot now. He understands how important that is to stay healthy."
What Nancy wants to say to hesitant sponsors? “If you have the financial capacity, this may well be the best money you can spend. You directly help improve care and you get wonderful stories and images in return that are great to share with family and friends!”
Her message to Perro&Co is clear: 'Keep going! People who dedicate themselves from the Netherlands to animals in another country deserve deep respect.'
Lonneke
