Marbella moments with Nicole King: Dog Day Afternoon

This week on Marbella now I managed to squeeze in an extra guest, basically while I’m saying goodbye.   Even though brief, Lily Van Tongeren, Vice President of Triple A animal rescue centre gave us a run down on the upcoming Open Day at the temporary premises of this animal rescue centre on Sunday, 23rd October.

It’s going to be fun – whatever the weather – as Marbella once again gathers not just to support the cause but in the celebration of a community initiative that for thirty years has rescued and homed the lost and stray cats and dogs of our city.  If it weren’t for Triple A these animals would be roaming and pooping in our streets and raiding our bins, or put down in any of the other “rescue” centres in Spain.

Marbella’s Town Hall fully supports keeping these animals alive, in good health and finding them new homes, but the government subvention of 80,000 euros a year doesn’t go far as the upkeep of the installations and personnel runs to €50,000 a month; which is a far cry from the 600,000 € annual requirement.

This is obviously a significant amount of money and those who aren’t dog lovers might not feel as empathetic about the expenditure or see a need to fund this refuge.  However if we consider that right now there are some 250 dogs housed in the facility (not taking into account the 300 plus cats) there would be some 273,750 additional poops on our streets in just one year.  Apart from the humanitarian aspect of giving these animals sanctuary, it’s part of the cost of a clean city.  

Volunteering with Triple A is also beneficial in many ways; it’s not just the dogs that enjoy the walks; many friendships and romances have developed along the way.  Lily explains that new programs to encourage volunteers to spend more time and actually interact with the animals  “we’re going to open up a grooming area where they can brush the dogs, do their nails, spend some time with the dogs in a really nice way instead of just quickly walking them and bringing them back”.

No one has a clear idea on how long Triple A will be located at the temporary premises but the charity is embracing their new home and introducing other elements to improve the animals’ quality of life, focusing even more on providing loving attention.  This also includes creating different areas with herbal plants like lavender as well as playing very calming music.

I invite you to please attend this Open Day on the Sunday 23^rd October: it’s a great opportunity to catch up with anyone who’s anyone on the Costa, there is always a great selection of stalls, very good second hand clothes, entertainment for kids with a children’s area, games, face painting and puppies to pet, international foods by all the international volunteers, a performance by local artist Nathan Dean and a wine tasting stand. I reall hope to see you there.

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