APAD

The aim of this web page is to announce our protectionist work in the region of the Marina Alta and to highlight the effort and the work of the current team of APAD. in the collection and protection of abandoned dogs. It is necessary to emphasize that A.P.A.D. only realizes this work within the city of Denia given the human and material means which it has.

Recently a considerable increase in the number of the dogs taken at APAD has been noticed. Generally this is the result of the public service of the collection and control of animals in the municipal area Denia. But also many private persons, mainly inhabitants of Denia, bring dogs to the animal home, which they have found within the municipal area. APAD checks in these cases always, as far as possible, the authenticity of these finds. Sometimes it is possible to prove that some private persons (who call themselves “Animal lovers”) lie over the origin of these dogs, what at least causes a great damage to APAD. Apart of this, they make themselves to accomplices of the city halls acting illegally which don't have a public service for the collection of animals in their district (law 4/94 of the Comunidad Valenciana, article 17 + 18). And the only thing, what they achieve with this behaviour, is the absolute overcrowding of the animal home Denia and so his possible closure, and, at the same time, that furthermore the municipalities they come from can proceed illegally and unpunished thanks to these people. This irresponsible and not in solidarity acting private persons are reported by APAD.

The number of abandoned dogs also has increased during the last year (2009-2010). Generally the people who abandon are mainly foreigners followed by Spaniards. The number of European foreigners and foreigners from not-European countries in these cases is the same. Nearly in all cases these dogs are half-breeds (90%) which don't have financial value and are often also old and/or ill. The irresponsible owners justify the abandonment with lack of financial resources, return to the native country, apartment, place, work or partner change or children; but primarily the fact is that the dogs are half-breeds (90%) which, as they, just like Spaniards, say they cannot keep or care for the before mentioned reasons. A curious fact is that there isn't any problem if the dog is a pedigree dog and therefore is of financial value.

APAD has come to the conclusion that the real background for the unpunished abandonment of dogs in Spain and particularly in the Comunidad Valenciana is the NON-application of the Law of animal protection (Law 4/94) on part of the town halls. These town halls are in an illegal situation what aggravates still more the regularization of the current chaos. APAD reported this situation to the Consellería de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación de la Comunidad Valenciana (C/ Amadeo de Saboya, 2 – 46010 Valencia), competent in this questions and is waiting for an answer /which will be published in this web site).

APAD is an organization of public use and was founded in 1993. Since August 2006 APAD has cooperated with the town hall of Denia to render a best possible service, every day of the year. Since April 6th, 2010, APAD has new installations which were set up by the town hall of Denia. Under APAD's management the new animal home Denia is able to take the defenceless dogs which is the reason of the existence of APAD. And we hope, with the help of the authorities, Spaniards and foreigners, to create a better future for the always forgotten dogs without home.

We hope that this example spreads itself also in other town halls! It is only possibly with the help of all together