Andorra is a small Principality (& separate country) of 70,000 people situated 200 kms. North East of Barcelona in the Pyrenees mountains between Spain & France.
An animal rescue centre is operated by volunteers which takes in lost/stray/abandoned dogs and cats where volunteers also take turns in walking the dogs outside the centre in the forest.
While not every dog or cat is found a new home there has been success with 2 approaches:
- Taking the dogs to the people. A selection of healthy dogs (with all rabies shots etc.,) available for adoption are taken by volunteers to all the village fiestas and walked around, mingling with the crowds. Each dog is fitted with a small yellow “jacket” saying, “I’m available for adoption”. The dogs seem to enjoy the day out and they get a chance to meet people rather than the centre trying to get people to come and see the dogs.
I have not seen if this also works for older cats but it should work for kittens in a confined area.
- Long distance adoption. The small foreign community in Andorra includes a number of Dutch and German families. There has been success with separate families to adopt the Andorran dogs in Holland and Germany. The dogs are microchipped and have the European pet passports issued (for cross border travel – certification of good health, current rabies shots etc.,)
Volunteers then deliver the dogs from Andorra to their new owners – distances over 800 kilometre one way, either on a family visit to the volunteer’s home country or just for the drive.
I understand over 75 dogs have found new homes so far.
by: Ian Fish