Page 68 - Spanish Insight - November 2019

Scruffs: a great success! and more tests. Also, Portia’s age makes it much more unlikely that she
I can’t put it any better than Woody Allen: Scruffs was will find a new home so the foster couple has decided to keep her as one
“the most fun you can have with your clothes on.” of their own pets.
Nearly 60 dogs competed in 12 categories, and the poor Georgio spent 3 years in a refugio in Mijas before coming to CAS earlier this
judges Nete Larson and Paul Zabrocki tore their hairs year with his brother Gringo. Gringo was rehomed to a family in Holland and
out awarding the prizes. Of course, every dog entered last month Georgio had a chance of a foster home in Finland depending on
was a winner. It was standing room only and more than tests for tick disease and other parasites common to the Mediterranean
2000€ was raised, all of which goes to the care of the region. Unfortunately, Georgio’s test results were positive for Leishmania
(Leish) and Filaria (heartworm) so his foster place fell through. Initial treatment
for Leish involves 2 sets of pills for a month which cost over 60€ and he
will remain on the Allopurinol tablets for the rest of his life. The treatment for
heartworm is much more involved and costly with a course of antibiotics
for 28 days, a special pill once a month for four months followed by three
sets of injections to kill the parasites. The sad thing is that these infections
can be prevented with regular treatments against mosquitoes, sand flies,
fleas and ticks such as Advantix and Scalibor collars. CAS regularly treats
the dogs under its care with Advantix but this costs about ten euros per
animal per month. Once Georgio’s treatment is completed in March and his
Leish is stabilized, he will make a wonderful pet to anyone who would like
an affectionate little dog.
Fosterers are always required to take short-term care of animals until a
permanent home can be found. CAS will provide fosterers with all they
need: food, medicine, bedding, leads, etc., as well as advice at any time.
abused/abandoned animals in Nerja/Maro. Thank you to all of our sponsors Even if you are only here for few months a year, CAS would appreciate your
and volunteers who made this a wonderful day. And thank you as well to help. For general enquires and a no-obligation chat, contact CAS President
Jacky of the Nerja Foreign resident’s office for all of her hard work and Vera Newing on 608 876 488.
support. See you next year!

Where does the money go???
This month we want to highlight examples of veterinary care that we cover
for rescues as this makes up a significant portion of the annual budget.
Portia, is an elderly Podenco cross female, rehomed by CAS over 10 years
ago but, unfortunately, the owner passed away and Portia was placed into
private kennels until a foster place could be found. Her luck changed for
the better when a foster home became available for her and she quickly
settled into a home environment again. Sadly, she developed age related
health complications with symptoms of hair loss, dry skin, weight gain and
tiredness. The vet tested her blood for Leishmania, heartworm and more
revealing she is suffering from hypothyroidism requiring ongoing treatment

A tourist on her way to the
promenade spots a rather
large dog wandering about.
No collar, just some torn
ropes attached to its neck.
She takes it to the vet, but
the scanner reveals that it
does not have a chip. She volunteers with Tail every year and knows
very well that the shelter is full, but what should she do? This is a
rather common incident that is reported to the animal charities and the
authorities along the Costa del Sol. Most of the found dogs are advertised
on social media and reported to the police. However, in most cases they
are not claimed back. It is then, with great frustration, that people find
themselves burdened with a dog they cannot keep but are otherwise
forced to keep. If released back on the streets, soon they will be victims
of the local dog pound or traffic. Refusing a dog is not a decision that we
at TAIL take lightly, and only when the lack of space or the high number of
residents can compromise their overall health and care. But we will always
try and help when possible. Under the Animal Protection Law of 2003,
the article 17.1 establishes that cats and dogs have to be individually
identified with a standard ID microchip within 3 months of birth. It is
essential that the citizens and the authorities work together to ensure that
every animal companion has its chip and, moreover, that the offenders
are identified and fined. TAIL is having a large garage sale on the morning
of the 9th of November at Las
Cebadillas, carril Circunvalación
8, Torrox Pueblo. Come and find
some absolute bargains! Don’t
forget on the 17th of November
Tail is holding its Autumn Dog
Show at the Barco Chiringuito,
Peñoncillo Beach on Torrox
Costa. You can Email us Direct
at: Tailtorrox@gmail.com www.
tailtorrox.es www.facebook.
com/pages/TAIL

68 Spanish Insight November 2019