Model project for sustainable animal welfare
Moers. Veto founded the first own animal protection center near Seville. The aim of the project is to create long-term structures for the protection of road and hunting dogs- with species-appropriate accommodation, medical care and the possibility of relaxation, without immediate placement pressure. The center should serve as a model for other facilities in Europe.
A place that works differently
The project is designed and financed by Veto. The Fundación Mastines en La Calle under the direction of Rafael Agudo – including recruiting and daily care for animals, takes over the implementation on site. The foundation currently looks after around 90 dogs, spread over a small shelter and three animal pensions. The distance between the locations makes work difficult and costs valuable time. With the new center on a two and a half hectare site, a central, easily accessible contact point is created for the first time. Up to 200 dogs are to be accommodated there in the future. A separate cat house is also in the planning.
Sevilla as the focus of the animal dress
Andalusia – and in particular the region around Seville – is considered one of the focal points of the Spanish animal welfare crisis: year after year, thousands of galgos, Podencos, mastins and other hunting dogs are exploited for hunting and exposed to, found or handed over in killing stations after the end of the season. The facilities to be built are overloaded, the need for help is enormous. Veto therefore consciously relies on help on site – because sustainable animal welfare begins where suffering arises.
Animal protection center instead of animal shelter: a new model
In contrast to classic animal shelters, the Veto animal protection center is not geared towards maximum occupancy, but for sustainable care. Animals should not be conveyed here under time pressure, but should receive the care they need – medically, emotionally and socially.
The new focuses on the quality of life of the animals: group attitude enables social learning, targeted training helps so -called “problem dogs”, and through local educational work – especially with young people – the social awareness should be changed in the long term.
“Instead of short-term rescue alone, animals need places that offer security and stability,” explains Veto project manager Kathrin Pohlmann. “With the new center, we create space for care, relaxation and preparation for a new life.” The project also has a deeper meaning for Rafael Agudo, founder of Fundación Mastines en La Calle: “My goal is to build this animal protection center. But my goal is also that the center is empty at some point – because there are no more dogs that are exposed or released. Of course, that would be the best.”
Help for self -help
With the structure of long -term infrastructure, Veto wants to fight the problem at the root and specifically strengthen animal welfare on site – in order to relieve animal shelters in Germany. Instead of relocating the problem and conveying animals abroad under pressure, Veto relies on long -term solutions on site – through better conditions, reliable care and more capacities. This creates a real perspective for animals in their homeland – and an urgently needed relief for German animal shelters.
Veto builds infrastructure where it is missing
Veto supported the construction of the first double enclosure in spring. Other modules are being planned. The system is gradually expanded: with an veterinary clinic, a quarantine area, a cat house, a solar system, accommodation for volunteers and a new deep well for water supply.
Long -term vision: international animal welfare centers
The Sevilla project is the first step in a new direction. “Our goal is to implement this model in other countries in which animals urgently need help,” says Kathrin Pohlmann from Veto. “Create infrastructure instead of fighting symptoms.”