This week at the shelter was very emotional (in a good way!). 5 dogs got out of the shelter into foster homes or adoptions and we are overwhelmed with happiness!

The week started out with a number of people contacting us to help volunteer. In the end only about 5 extra people showed up, but that didn’t stop the team from getting things done! First order of business was to organize who was walking which dog. This is always something that we struggle with but with knowledgeable members of the dog team there, it’s made easier. Thanks to Rescue Me Sitges for helping us with that! Our volunteer team was able to walk all the dogs; some even more than once!

Next task was to coordinate the vet visits. With so many dogs heading out this weekend, we needed to make sure there was enough space and time for each dog to take a turn walking down to the vet for their check up and vaccinations. Every dog and cat that is adopted through us is vaccinated, chipped, bloodwork done, and either sterilized or given an appointment to sterilize. We believe this is the absolute base level of care we can provide the animal to start their new life with a family off right. Oftentimes this becomes a point of argument with the shelter itself, as the fee to adopt through the shelter does not cover castrations. They leave this task and cost to the adopters, which is unfair and completely against all ethical codes for shelters worldwide. We hope this is something we can help to change while working with the shelter this year.

With all this out of the way, we began the organization of pick ups and drop offs for the dogs leaving the shelter. Poncho’s new family came to pick him up and bought him a lead that matched his owner’s clothes! He really hit the jackpot with these people! Thank you for welcoming that loving 10 year old into your lives.

One of the puppies has already been adopted and was united with her owner yesterday. A match made in heaven! The other two have both been placed into foster homes in Barcelona. These guys are a lot of work and we are very thankful that we have found very patient and loving households to take care of them until they find homes.

The biggest and most emotional story we have saved for last: the story of Sol. Sol is a very sweet, 10 year old German Shepard mix that was born at the shelter. She has spent every single day of her life in a cage, waiting for her forever home. For the past 10 years she has seen other dogs come and go, seen the terrors of living at the hands of humans, including the tragic death of her own daughter (which she became pregnant with at the very shelter that she was born into.) For 10 years Sol was passed over for other dogs. Yesterday was the day she broke free from that life. Elin and Sarah of Gatalunya organized a foster home for her in Barcelona. The Rescue Me Sitges team coordinated with vet visits the week leading up to her release. And together we were able to walk Sol out of the shelter and into the arms of someone who will love her.

Sol has never known anything outside of the shelter walls until this week. She rode in her first car, walked down her first Barcelona street, and spent her very first night with a roof over her head in the warmth of a home. It rained all last night and continues to rain this morning. Knowing that Sol and 4 other dogs are cuddled up on someone’s couch or in someone’s bed helps us breath a little easier. I, for one, woke up with a lighter heart.

We want to reiterate the gratitude we have for those that foster our cats and dogs. We couldn’t do what we do without their help. They’re the backbone to everything we do. To see these strangers open their homes and hearts to our animals is heartwarming. We are proud to call them part of our ever-growing team. Thank you.

We also want to remind all those that donated just how much their contributions help us save these animals. All of the medical costs for Sol’s chance at a better life have been paid for by Gatalunya, with the donations that you so lovingly contributed. Knowing that there are people watching and helping us worldwide is incredibly touching. We are so thankful for your help in this adventure. We couldn’t do it without you.

Shelter Visit 19/1/2019