EMERGENCY UPDATE: 2/20/2019

This past week we received some disturbing news. We were notified that the shelter may be closing due to land development restrictions in May. This does not come as a complete shock, as we knew the government and the shelter were in court about selling the land that the shelter sits on (the shelter doesn’t want to sell, but it looks like the government is forcing them.) But it sill comes with a lot of stress and anxiety about where the animals will go. They seem to have been forgotten in this battle over apartment-worthy land.

Though we are unsure what the verdict will be, and with the potential closing date of May 1, we are in somewhat of panic mode. We need to figure out a way to evacuate the animals ASAP or risk them being brought to the government-run shelters where they may be euthanized on entrance if ANYTHING is wrong with them. These compounds are much, much worse than the conditions of the shelter in Cubelles, and we are at a standstill of what to do. There are over 35 dogs and 2 antisocial cats.

Our plan of action is as follows:

1: Organize the inventory list of animals. As of right now, the shelter doesn’t have a firm list of what animals they have. Our team will go in and photograph and document names, age, breed, and personality/temperament of each animal to post on our website and social media. We plan on even printing out this material and sharing it at work and with friends. It would be helpful if you all could share this information as well!

2: Contact breed-specific rescues: We know there are many beed-specific rescue organizations out there and we hope that one of them might be able to take in some of our pure-bred dogs. If you have a contact for any of these organizations in Spain or internationally, please let us know!

3: Contact other shelters: Many of the shelters in Barcelona and the surrounding areas are overrun with animals and many have a waiting list for admission. We first and foremost need to get our animals on these waiting lists.

4: Adoption and foster network: Our biggest push, while waiting to hear back from #2 and #3 is to get our dogs and cats into homes. Even intentionally! We are willing to fly these guys across the world if you’re the right fit for them! These dogs are good dogs, and each one deserves a loving home. They deserve to live indoors, with a family that can pay them the attention they need and rightfully deserve. While we refuse to give them to just anyone, we encourage people to reach out regardless of financially or circumstantial situations. Fostering is a near zero cost opportunity and saves lives.

How you can help:

We know most of our readers are international. We know you can’t physically get involved by fostering or adopting an animal, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t help. We are partnering with Rescue Me Sitges on this evacuation and won’t stop until it is over. Let’s talk about how you can get involved:

1: Donate! Of course this closure comes at a great cost, both financially and emotionally. Each animal needs to be seen by a veterinarian and given the all-clear. This is important for two reasons: if they enter the government shelter, they need to be PERFECT health or they will be euthanized and for the best chance of adoption, the healthiest ones go first. We know not all of these animals are healthy, and that’s why we need your help. We know with a little funding, they can get on the track to a forever home.

2: Sharing our posts. The more people who know about this, the better! We don’t care if you live in the middle of Iowa or the mid Atlantic, we want you to share our posts. We need to be heard, to be seen, to be listened to. These dogs are all deserving of a voice. Let use our collective voice to find them homes.

3: Donate your talents: There are many of you out there that are incredibly talented in your professions. Do you have a unique way you think you can help find these dogs homes or get involved with our team? Let us know!

We want to remind you that although we’re the ones that are on the ground here in Barcelona, you all make up the largest portion of our team. We are able to do what we do with your help: through funding, networking, social engagement, and much, much more. We, together, can find these animals homes. We won’t give up and we hope you won’t either!