The overstocking of the centre and its potential collapse

A.P.A.D. is conscious of the desperate situation regarding dogs in Spain because of the unapplied laws and the irresponsibility both of the Town Halls and of the individuals.

It is necessary to emphasize that the law 4/94 of the Generalitat Valenciana in his article 18 says: 

Article 18
For the collection and retention of abandoned animals, the Town Halls will prepare personnel and suitable facilities. It will be made possible to co-ordinate the necessary services with competent Council or to co-operate with the associations for the protection and defence of the animals. In populations where protective societies for animals are constituted and legally exist that it is requested that they take charge of the collection, retention, maintenance, adoption or the human disposal of the abandoned animals. They will be authorized to realize this service and have the means necessary made available to facilitate to completion.

Therefore, with regard and on behalf of our citizens it is necessary to press the Town Halls that do not fulfil the regulation. On behalf of individuals it is necessary to get them to be responsible and for them to collaborate directly or indirectly:

A.     Directly:

Collaborating with the protective associations without racial prejudices or discrimination of nationalities among its members. The aim is common: to save the dogs.

B.     Indirectly:

Ensuring your dog has a chip (veterinary) you can save its life if it is lost or involved in an accident. Contribute to preventing the overcrowding of the protection of animals facilities with dogs without identification (chip). If you loose your dog (not chipped) a neighbour or others could become the legal owner of the dog with a chip inserted in their name. Having your dog chipped will prevent wrongful ownership of your dog.

Sterilization of female dogs is the responsibility of the owner, it is not logical for an owner of an un-sterilized female dog to support 7 or 9 puppies that his dog would have and of what they may do with the puppies over the next 10 years. Sterilization costs approximately 200 € and is for whole of life. A litter of 7 or 8 puppies costs the dog protection approximately 500 € as a minimum for vaccines, veterinary control and special food. This multiplied by 2 annual pregnancies of a bitch with puppies would amount to 1,000 € per year, multiplied by 10 years being an average life of a bitch would total 10,000 €, all this in order an irresponsible owner wishes to save himself 200 €, this speaking of only one bitch, there are many more.

The overstocking of the dog protection centre because of the irresponsibility of a few provokes first the lack of adoptions for the insalubrities created for exceeding the capacity of the centre, as well as fights between dogs for the lack of living space (with deaths) and the end of sterilizations, veterinary treatments and urgent surgeries. As final result it may lead to the closure of the centre and the possible sacrifice of its guests as a last resource.

Finally, if you are unfamiliar with dogs and want one, take advice across the multiple professionals (protective, veterinarians, etc.).