Shelter
More volunteers and donations are needed to help with an influx of abandoned animals in Marbella due to the crisis
31.07.12 - 11:25 -
Jan with Lolita who was recently adopted in finland.
A Marbella animal shelter is appealing for donations and volunteers to help look after a rising number of abandoned animals.
Triple A currently has 350 dogs, 242 cats, two pigs, seven seagulls and a duck at their shelter on the Carretera de Ojén.
Now bosses at the charity are warning that numbers are set to rise next month when people go on holiday and leave their pets on the street.
Jan Weima, 67, a volunteer and founding member at Triple A, said that they are currently organising a number of fundraisers to help cover the 18,200 Euro monthly cost of running the shelter.
He told SUR in English: “Summer is the time of the year when most people go on holiday and unfortunately there are some people who are without any heart or feelings for their pets and choose to abandon them.
August
“Unfortunately the worst is still to come when August arrives. This is when most people, in particular the Spanish, go on holidays and leave the animals in the street.
“Just to give you an idea from January 2012 to July 2012 a total of 511 dogs have been left at the shelter and a total of 224 cats. The present economical situation worldwide, especially in Spain, has slowed down the adoption of our animals and it is thanks to countries like Germany, Finland, Sweden, Holland etc, that our animals have a second chance in life.
“With so many animals to look after, as you can imagine, the cost is out of all proportion.”
Jan explained that people wanting to help can become a member, join as a volunteer, help with the maintenance and cleaning of the shelter, or donate dry dog or cat food, used blankets, towels and cleaning materials, especially bleach.
Learn Spanish
Those who are fit and like to walk in the open air are also welcome to go along and walk the dogs on Saturdays while practising their Spanish.
The next fundraising event will be a golf tournament on Saturday August 4th at Los Arqueros Golf Club. For more information phone 952 77 15 86, email info@aaahelps.com or visit www.aaa.helps.com
