Javea Dogs

The Spanish love to pamper their pets, dress their little dogs up in fancy clothing for walks on the beaches or carry them around in designer handbags. However, the financial crisis in Spain has meant that thousands of expatriates previously living in Spain left in a hurry, Spanish families have lost their jobs and had to uproot from their home and many families struggle to put food on the table day to day. Sadly, the spill over effect on the welfare of many dogs have been severely negative. Hundreds and hundreds of dogs have been abandoned by their former owners and left to an uncertain destiny.

To most dog lovers it is simply incomprehensible how it is possible for an English, German or Spanish family to abandon their life companion and pet as if it was trash. None the less, the volume of dogs left behind is overwhelming particularly along the Costa Blanca and Costa Del Sol. In the relatively tiny village of Javea the local dog rescue kennel currently has more than 230 dogs to look after. Every single one was previously a beloved family pet that was maliciously and carelessly dumped by its previous owners.To most dog lovers it is simply incomprehensible how it is possible for an English, German or Spanish family to abandon their life companion and pet as if it was trash. None the less, the volume of dogs left behind is overwhelming particularly along the Costa Blanca and Costa Del Sol. In the relatively tiny village of Javea the local dog rescue kennel currently has more than 230 dogs to look after. Every single one was previously a beloved family pet that was maliciously and carelessly dumped by its previous owners.


The magnitude of the problem means local kennels are hanging on by the skin of their teeth to provide welfare for the rescue dogs, pay their food and medical bills, give them the exercise they need and ultimately put in an effort to find them new and loving homes. The Spanish authorities are in no position to provide sufficient help which means the welfare of the dogs is reliant on charities and the efforts of volunteers. If you consider yourself a dog lover or simply care for animal welfare there are plenty of small and bigger things you can do to help out. First and foremost the rescue kennels are severely strapped of cash in general and any money you can spare for donations will directly affect the lives of several dogs positively. It is possible to join most of these rescue efforts such as the APASA Javea organisation and as such become a supporting member for a small annual fee. You can choose and sponsor a specific dog at the kennel which means you help for its food, veterinary bills and facilities whilst the dog still remains living in the kennel.

But the single biggest thing you can do to help is to ensure that your next dog is an adoption from a rescue kennel. Several pet shops and pet supermarkets sell puppies from the terribly puppy farms. Do not support this amoral trade by giving them a sale, when instead you have the option of heading to the kennel and choose between hundreds of charming puppies and dogs of all ages to join your family. Be part of the solution and adopt a dog instead of feeding the problem by buying one.