Big adventures of little Ivor

It’s sometimes said that the Spanish don’t have the same regard for pet animals as the northern Europeans. Well, here’s a story which proves otherwise.

Click on the logo above to visit the website of the Costa Animal Society

set off on his journey, travelling as hand luggage!

 

There was some concern amongst CAS volunteers that he wouldn’t fit in his travel box because his tail wagged so much, but all was well. Ivor is pictured here meeting his new owner at the end of his travels and is reported to be still wagging that tail! Meanwhile, Paco has seen photographs of little Ivor in his new surroundings and is delighted to have been a major part of his rescue. Ivor was one of five dogs which travelled to new homes in the Netherlands on the same day last month. All of the adoptions were arranged through an accord between CAS and its Dutch counterpart HzH which has resulted in well over 100 happy dogs flying north since its inception.

All set for Scruffs, Nerja

Paws are being polished and coats brushed in readiness as pets are prepared for the Costa Animal Society’s second fun dog show of the summer, Scruffs Nerja 2009. The annual event will be held on the petanque court in Punta Lara, Nerja, on Saturday, September 5.

The annual fund-raising family event is a chance to help raise cash for CAS by showing off your dog or just coming to join in the fun. There will be eleven classes in which dogs may be entered at €5 per class, including those for best pedigree, best non-pedigree and best rescue dog.

 

Heather (left) with Caroline and Pippa

In addition, the fun will continue with a round to find the owner who looks most like his or her dog, and to judge which couple – owner and dog - have the best six legs! The winners in each class receive a cup, while owners of the three dogs judged best in show are awarded trophies. Registration begins at 1pm with judging starting at 2pm. The winner of the Best Rescue Dog category will also have an extra prize, courtesy of Heather Gail Harman, founder of the Portrait Society of Andalucía. Heather has previously painted champions from the famous Cruft’s Dog Show in the UK, as well as a range of celebrities from Billy Connolly to Barbra Streisand, and will offer a portrait of the winning dog to its owner. This is the second time Heather has offered such a prize with the winner from CAS’s first dog show, Scruffs Cómpeta, being presented with her prize recently. Caroline Hicks took her dog along to collect the portrait and Pippa, a giant schnauzer, seemed mesmerised by it, returning several times to stare at her own image!

Setting the record straight

Like all organisations, the Costa Animal Society has its critics, and as one which spends money donated by the public, it strives to keep its operations transparent and open. However, two specific criticisms continue to circulate.

First, how can CAS allow commercial kennel operators to be on its committee?

The CAS committee consists of 13 members, some of whom operate kennels used by the organisation.  However, four members of the committee – the president, vicepresident, secretary and treasurer – form an executive which concerns itself with the legal, political and financial aspects of the group. None of these four has a business interest in any commercial kennels or other services for which CAS must pay.

CAS could not function without the goodwill and flexibility of the kennel owners who not only charge reduced prices to the charity but also take on many other voluntary responsibilities in addition to organising their own fundraising events for CAS.

Second, why doesn’t CAS have its own kennels?

To open new kennels, suitable land would have to be found (a major problem in this area) and purchased; architects and legal advisors would have to be employed, and a construction firm hired to build the centre. This would clearly cost several hundreds of thousands of euros before even one dog could be housed.

In addition, staff would have to be employed, with consequent salaries and social security payments to be paid. It would also require an operating licence from the town hall and these are not obtained easily.

CAS feels the money would be better spent looking after animals by using existing kennels, all of which are kind enough to offer reduced rates and do not worry too much when funds run low and the monthly bill is paid weeks and weeks late.

In addition, the existence of a wonderful network of foster families is proving so effective in not only reducing housing costs but also in improving the socialisation of dogs, making them much easier to home permanently. The value CAS places on these foster families cannot be over emphasised.

Can you help CAS?

We know times are tough but, sadly, that does not prevent the continuous flow of abandoned dogs and cats requiring help from the Costa Animal Society. This, in turn, costs money which is as tight for CAS as it is for everyone.

However, if you could donate a little to help the animals, CAS would be most grateful.

Bank: Cajamar.
Account name: Costa Animal Society.
Account number: 3058-0839-68-2720000283.
BIC-Swift Code: CCRIES2AXXX.
IBAN: ES58 3058 0839 6827 2000 0283.

Or visit the CAS Charity Shop at Calle Dr Ferran 12, Nerja, open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 1pm.

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