New PayPal account for J.A.W.S.

JIMENA J.A.W.S., the animal charity, now has a PayPal Account where you can make donations. Using the email address available on the J.A.W.S. Facebook page, follow the steps and make your donation. However small your donation, it is always appreciated. The final step will tell you that you have donated your payment to Jimena Animal Welfare Society. We can then use this money to pay vet bills - of which there are many!! "Thank you in anticipation of your continued support and, if they could speak, the animals we help would say thank you, too!" says Val Jubb, President of J.A.W.S.

Baby dolphin dies on way to being rescued

(Photo: europasur.es)

SAN ROQUE Beach goers at Puente Mayorga saw a fin flapping in the sun yesterday, and thought it might be a shark. It turned out to be a baby dolphin that got stuck in the shallows. It was shaded, watered and taken care of as well as possible until the emergency services arrived, but the stress of being stuck was too much for it and it died on the way to the Cegma (Centro de Gestión del Medio Marino) in Algeciras. It is not unusual for dolphins and other cetaceans to be beached in the area, but local people did say they had never seen one so young.

No name, no shame

Last minute love from a caring vet,
but is still biting his muzzle

We never gave him a name. Probably nobody ever gave him a name. He had been wandering around the outskirts of Jimena, by the entrance through Corral de Concejo. Nobody could get close because he was in such pain that the only thing he knew was to defend himself. Defend himself ... it was probably the only thing he had been able to learn in the only year of his life. Nobody could catch him ... until he was so weak that he couldn't help getting caught, though not without giving out snappy aggression. He was still defending himself at the Campayo López vet clinic. Antonia nearly burst into tears when she saw him. The kindest thing, she agreed, was to give him a quiet, restful death. And so it was.>>>

J.A.W.S. advice: keep some water and food in your car

If you are reading the J.A.W.S. page or this item, then you love animals. The Jimena Animal Welfare Society suggests you all carry a small container of dried food and a bottle of water in your car - they won't take up much room! - and if you see a dog that you think needs help, then you can take immediate action by feeding it and giving it a drink ( very important in this heat!). By all means, notify J.A.W.S. but please try and take immediate action - that may be all the animal needs.

J.A.W.S. Cat Neutering Day is on Tuesday, August 6

JIMENA J.A.W.S. Has announced that the next Cat Neutering Day is scheduled for Tuesday, August, at the Campayo López Clinic (that's Carlos's) on Calle Sevilla 54, in Jimena. To quote Val Jubb, J.A.W.S. prez: As a special offer we are going to neuter both male and female cats for 30 euros. This offer is NOT available to people looking for cheap veterinary care - this is a genuine offer for people who are struggling or who have adopted a stray cat/kitten. JAWS will help anybody who cares enough to get their cat neutered but can't afford it - please phone VAL on 956 640 936. Please speak with your Spanish neighbour to try and encourage them to make use of this great opportunity - there are far too many unwanted cats and kittens around so please spread the word and make use of this fantastic offer. More details will follow but the important thing is to book your cat in with me. We also suggest you make a copy or twenty of the poster and slip it under the door of a neighbour with too many cats...

Tiger power: looking for a home

(On Facebook) "I found these 3 dumped by the side of the road 2 weeks ago, they are doing well. All they need is a home but I really need a foster home from the 30th July until 14th August. They would come with cage and food. They are mainly on solids now. very friendly. please can anyone help me out." Jackie Power. Contact her through Jackie's Facebook page.

Cat Neutering Day coming soon

JIMENA "J.A.W.S. are going to hold another Cat Neutering day - date to be announced next week. Feral cats will be paid for by J.A.W.S. - if we can get hold of any!!! If you have rescued a cat recently and would like to get it neutered you will get much reduced rates on the day and if your circumstances are such that you really can't afford it, then we will help you. But please remember that we are a charity and our aim is to help people in need - we are not here to give you a cheap route to veterinary treatment! Please contact Val via the J.A.W.S. Facebook page to book your cat in. We already have 4 cats already so contact me ASAP."

His Gibraltarian owners threw him out 'a long time ago'

SPAIN / GIBRALTAR This little fellow, Toby, is chipped. His owners are Gibraltarian, but they refuse to keep him. The owners say they gave him to a friend, who doesn't want him either. Aurora López Manzano, a lone star animal rescue centre all by herself with a couple of friends, has been in touch with the people named on the chip, saying that the dog is in a very bad state and they need to pay for vet fees, etc. Another call had the daughter of the 'owners' saying the dog had been given to a Gibraltar rescue centre, so they're not paying for anything. Toby, who was rescued in Manilva, has injuries on his back, his claws are like corkscrews from neglect, and it is obvious he has been in a bad state for a long time. If there is any way you can help with vet fees, etc. Aurora would be very grateful. (Contact her via her Facebook page, linked above - she has some English but can always use Prospero if need be.)

Dog park has a hundred daily visitors

LA LÍNEA Only two months ago, an association was created with the support of Verdemar-Ecologistas en Acción, the environmental organization, and the Council, whose objective was the establishment of what came to be called a 'canine park' within the large Reina Sofía Park. Over one hundred people now use this space to walk their dogs every day. According to the president of the Asociación Canina Parque Sofía, Fuensanta Guerrero, the idea was born from the need of pet owners to have somewhere to walk their animals and to meet other people. Largely thanks to Verdemar, the park already has a drip system to water the grass, and an agility course is planned. There is also a disused bunker within the area, which Guerrero hopes can eventually be used as an office and meeting place for the association.

Figo needs a forever home

If you can give this wonderfully-natured dog a home, please get in touch with J.A.W.S.

Pet charity: 25% down on abandonment thanks to sterilization programme

Recently adopted in Holland

LA LÍNEA Prodean, the pet rescue centre, says that they are 25% down on rescues of abandoned dogs, thanks mainly to the annual sterilization programme they carried out earlier in the year. According to Peter Koekebakker, one of the people behind Prodean, the programme is becoming increasingly effective adding that thanks to a generous donation by a Dutch benefactress, some 500 dogs were neutered, which accounts for the decrease in numbers of abandoned puppies this year. Peter also pointed out that adoptions are not free, as all animals are chipped, wormed, vaccinated, etc. and have a European passport. Most adoptions at Prodean come from Holland, where animal abandonment is practically non-existent. The Dutch arm of Prodean is Animals In Need (in English). (J.A.W.S. also has a happy story - watch this space tomorrow!)

EXCLUSIVE: J.A.W.S. new logo!

JIMENA Designed by Marta Fuster Barutell, this is the new logo for the Sociedad Protectora de Animales de Jimena de la Frontera, or J.A.W.S. (Jimena Animal Welfare Society) as it is known among the expats. You will soon see it about, urging you to support the cause. Each version, to be used individually, has its black and white equivalent because that's cheaper to print, but the idea behind the logo is to be able to pass on the message that the organization -which becomes official after the summer- is not just about dogs, though these are preponderant. Please leave your comments below (we've made it easier now).

Widespread cultural support for campaign against abandoning pets in summer

MADRID A household pet is abandoned every three minutes in Spain. That adds up to some 300,000 every year, 10,000 of them in Madrid alone (don't know/can't find figures or Andalucía - any help?). So the Federation of Animal Protection Societies of the Community of Madrid, FAMAP, has come up with a campaign this year aimed at, at least, stopping those figures from getting any bigger. The title: 'Would you abandon him just for a holiday?' The campaign is being supported by numerous celebrities, particularly from the theatre, cinema, music, arts and letters. These include such well-known names as>>>

Franz-Josef is looking for a home

JIMENA (via e-mail) "This small boy urgently needs your help. He has been found on the street about 4 months ago and his current owner is only able to keep him for 8 more days. After that he would be taken to a dog shelter. He is about 1 year old, really cute and nice, loves people and other dogs. PLEASE, help him to find a loving home, he deserves it. Forward and share this message to people who might be able to help. Franz-Josef will pay it back with lots of love for his new owner. Big Thanks, Jens (mob: 644 116 384)"

EU to simplify pet travel regulations among member states

EUROPE New legislation on the "non-commercial transport" of pets, already informally agreed with EU ministers, was approved by Parliament last month and press-released last week. Taking pets abroad will be easier, but pet health requirements will be stricter. Online information for pet owners will also be made clearer, though we have been unable to find exactly where as yet. Before taking their pets across borders, owners should check that their anti-rabies vaccinations are still valid. Young animals between 12 and 16 weeks that have been vaccinated against rabies - but have yet to achieve immunity - should still be allowed to travel. "There are 64 million cats and 66 million dogs in the EU. One household in four has a pet. In future, travelling across borders with pets will involve far less administrative hassle. We have eased the rules, and this should have a direct impact on citizens" said rapporteur Horst Schnellhardt (EPP, DE) after his resolution was adopted by 592 votes to 7 with 4 abstentions. The legislation will be applicable 18 months after it is published in the EU Official Journal.>>>

What a wonderful change! (All thanks to J.A.W.S.)

Below is a little film of Harry, sent in by his new home people. He is one of a pair of puppies rescued by Val Jubb, of J.A.W.S. last month (left). They were found in a drainage hole with their mom, terrified, filthy, flea and tick ridden. The 'owners' refused to allow the mother to be neutered, although they also said she and the puppies were not theirs. See what a change came over the white one. Maybe we can get a movie of his sister Poppy, who was also homed. They were treated at Carlos's vet centre - about which big changes forthcoming! (See why J.A.W.S. needs your help?)

Anywhere is good enough ...

Could just do with a snooze ... any pillow will do, says Tina here. (Can't remember where this photo came from, probably from one of hundreds of animal rescue/shelter/welfare sites in Spain - wouldn't it be great if they could all band together to force implementation of current legislation, let alone, making new, better laws on the subject of animal welfare ...) (Hey, you can share this with your Facebook Timeline, friends,  J.A.W.S., etc., just click on the Fb logo below. Or even via Twitter and lots more!)

J.A.W.S. needs your help NOW

From the J.A.W.S. Facebook page: "I knew it would happen! JAWS have run out of money and I have just had a call about a Mum and 2 puppies wandering the streets desperately in need of help. I have a temporary home for them until Friday and then they will have to go to Adana - FEE WILL BE 150 EUROS! Can anyone out there help us with the fee?? Any amount - no matter how small - will help us and more importantly, give these 3 little dogs a chance in life. PLEASE contact me and SHARE this post - THANK YOU. (As we write, just had €50 from lady in Estepona)

J.A.W.S. is ready to go on to the next stage

JIMENA (Received via Facebook, on the J.A.W.S. page) "Since JAWS was launched last June, we have been carrying on with the good work and have so far rescued approx. 15 dogs. One was re-homed in Germany, one in the UK, one here in Jimena and several went to Adana where they have either been adopted or are still in ADANA waiting for the perfect family to adopt them. So we have done well and couldn't have done it without your support. We are now ready to move onto the next stage! The council are backing us 100% and want to help us and they want to provide a place where dog kennels can be built (by the council) so we have a place to temporarily keep dogs, allowing us time to try and find forever homes for them.  This is great news for J.A.W.S. and I am sure you all agree will be a huge step forward to helping the strays that we come across - or come across us!>>>

A good example of volunteers at work - as it should be

LA LÍNEA This is a prime example of proper volunteerism. People get together to actually DO something instead of sitting around talking and drinking. In this case it is at El Gato Andaluz, the cat rescue centre in La Línea. And it is another reason why it is so important for J.A.W.S. to have as many Spanish members as possible. We're not sure how long they've been going, but they obviously have a very active membership - not to mention sharing and working on Facebook, setting up websites (they have two: www.gatosdelalinea.com/ and www.elgatoandaluz.com/, though probably one of them is historical rather than updated) and using them, etc. etc. Of course, everything's in Spanish.