GIVE A DOG A HOME THIS CHRISTMAS

PALMA
MAJORCA animal refuge Centro Canino is desperately searching for homes for 15 dogs who face a bleak winter unless accommodation is found.
The animals are housed at Son Batlet private boarding kennels, but volunteers from Centro Canino are frantically trying to re-home the dogs before Christmas.

Son Batlet is a privately-operated boarding kennels and dogs are boarded there following the row over Centro Canino's Es Pilari refuge. Earlier this year a judge ordered the dogs to be placed at Son Batlet whilst the controversial future of Es Pilari was sorted out.

The judge's ruling stated that Centro Canino was only allowed to house 10 female dogs, two males and any number of puppies at their purpose-built premises in Es Pilari, following a dispute with local residents and while the refuge waited for essential paperwork allowing them to operate was completed.

Some of the refuge's dogs were housed in the boarding kennels while volunteers strived to fulfill conditions laid down by the authorities and re-open the Es Pilari premises.

Now space taken up by the Centro Canino dogs is desperately needed at the kennels for its busiest time of year over the festive period. “The Council of Majorca agreed to pay for the cost of housing the dogs at the kennels, whilst volunteers would continue to pay for their upkeep and look after the animals so they had familiar contact,” explained Centro Canino vice-president Julie Ford.

But despite complying with all the conditions laid down by the authorities and the judge, Centro Canino is still waiting for its operating permit to be issued.

Julie said they were desperate to find homes for the dogs before December 18 when Son Batlet requires the accommodation for its own business purposes. “Ideally we would like to find permanent homes for the dogs. But it would be a tremendous help if people could just take one in for Christmas,” said Julie.

Anyone able to help should call Centro Canino on 971 261149 any day between 10am and 2pm.
Further details are also available on the refuge's website at www.centrocaninointernacional.org.