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PAWS History
(People's Animal Welfare Society)

1989 A NEED ARISES

In the southeast corner of Spain lies the province of Almeria, wherein nestle the coastal towns of Garrucha, Vera and Mojácar. Like may Spanish villages, these towns experienced tremendous growth during the 1970s and 80s and have become thriving tourist centers.

Along with this expansion came the inevitable number of abandoned and stray dogs and cats. It was not uncommon to encounter packs of roaming dogs o­n the beaches, the roads and even in the towns. These animals, left to fend for themselves, had to endure accidents, disease, starvation, violent abuse, and the agony of death by poisoning. Adding to the problem, they bred uncontrollably.

Moved by so much suffering, a group of concerned citizens (some of whom are still active PAWS members today) joined forces, networked, and tried to find solutions to these problems. From these meetings the forerunner of PAWS, "Amigos de la Naturaleza" (Friends of Nature) was born.

1990 - A DREAM TAKES FORM

The dream of being able to provide shelter, care and compassion to these unfortunate animals became a realization when the Vera Town Hall fenced in and gave to the Society, now known as PAWS, a derelict piece of land adjacent to the town cemetery. This was the o­nly official help received at that time by any governing body, and the subsequent shelter was entirely funded by charitable donations and built by manpower based o­n volunteer availability.

1991 - THE CHARITY SHOP OPENS

Enthusiastic volunteers transformed a small, narrow, rent free shell, without a hanging rail in sight into our first Charity Shop continued. Well supported from the start, the Charity Shop has maintained its status as PAWS "biggest source of continued income".

1992 - "UNOFFICIAL" OPENING

Still under construction, PAWS first residents took their place in the unfinished shelter. Twenty dogs, mostly of hunting breeds, had been thrown over the fence o­ne night. Volunteers o­n the work shift were appalled to find that most of the dogs, many of them comatose, were in such a bad condition that the o­nly kindness was to provide them with immediate euthanasia. Nobody knows what atrocities these animals had withstood, and their condition shocked us into realizing what a massive undertaking dealing with animal welfare would be. Without any warning, PAWS had no option but to open its doors to a half-built facility.

1993 - 1995 - PROVIDING A SERVICE

These years saw PAWS realizing the demands of running an animal shelter. As demands increased, so did the pressure of needing more volunteers, more supplies, more cash. Finding needy animals, however, was never a problem, and the flow of animals into the shelter seemed never ending.

1996 - BIRTH OF THE CONSTITUTION
and BECOMING A REGISTERED CHARITY

In the October and November of this year, PAWS adopted its official Constitution and was granted its status as Registered Charity No. 1928. However, government funding was still not forthcoming, and so the Charity continued to be financed solely by generous donations, subscriptions, and fund raising events. Many of these events have become hugely popular yearly occasions, including the Pet Olympics, The Fashion Show, Animal Awareness day and the Christmas Fayre.

1997 - CHARITY SHOP CHANGES PREMISES

With the Charity Shop becoming a popular local meeting / buying place, a new, centrally located, boutique style premises was obtained, although this time the premises weren't for free. To help meet this new expense, we were able to expand our opening hours.

1998 - THE HOMING SUB-COMMITTEE

PAWS established the Homing Sub-Committee, which through Dutch Volunteers developed an excellent relationship with Stitching AAI (Animal Aid International) and G.I.N. (Greyhounds in Need, Netherlands) and a year later PAWS NL was formed working as PAWS sister organization in Holland. They became huge supporters of the Society, not o­nly adopting dogs but donating dog supplies and items to be sold in our shop. Thanks to PAWS NL, the PAWS transport van never returns empty. PAWS Spain started receiving letters and photos of our dogs from their happy new owners.

1999 - TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Somehow, ten years managed to roll around and this occasion was celebrated with a charity anniversary gala dinner dance. It's nice to get out of Wellington boots and overalls o­nce in a while!

2000 - PAWS HONORED AS R.S.P.C.A. INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATE

Our work becomes officially recognized by this powerful group, who awarded us their prestigious Certification of Association.

LAND DONATION - two of our Dutch "Guardian Angels" funded the purchase of a better sited piece of land where we could open up a better shelter. Fundraising becomes foremost as we needed large sums to complete the massive task. The necessity for this new premises was going to come sooner than we realized.

THE CHARITY SHOP - o­nce again changes premises to cope with a boom in sales. The shop is now staffed by a dedicated band of up to twenty volunteers, and the opening hours have o­nce again been expanded.

2001 - THE PROJECT

With fundraising o­ngoing, PAWS Administration worked closely with architects and craftsmen to compile a project for a new shelter comprising proper infrastructure and a people / animal friendly environment.

2002 - DISASTER STRIKES

New officials at the Vera Town Hall present PAWS with a thirty day eviction notice. We were in despair. The kennels were full to capacity, housing more than forty dogs.  The new shelter was still not built, due to lack of funds. Our Homing Sub-Committee worked overtime and our good friends in Holland and foster homes stepped in to help by taking o­n additional dogs. The facilities of residential boarding kennels were also employed.

Though PAWS no longer had its shelter, the work continued. Dogs were still being brought in, blood tested, vaccinated, cared for, photographed, catalogued and re-homed. Funds were being divided between the exorbitant construction costs and the o­n-going veterinary and costs of re-homing.

JULY 2002 - A PUBLIC BLESSING

The priest of Los Gallardos held a blessing at our new site and this gave us hope and encouragement to be positive for the future.

JUNE 2003 - OFFICIAL OPENING DAY

With Henry and lady, our sponsor dogs, and twenty of the new "residents" officially ensconced, a public celebration was held, with Belinda Meuldijk, our patroness, as well as our "Guardian Angels" who made it all possible.

In July 2003 the government's Delegación de Pesca y Agricultura officially classified the shelter.

2006 - THE PRESENT

PAWS continues to find homes for approximately five hundred animals per year. We currently have sponsorship for three of the seven proposed cat kennels, our next project. Building is o­ngoing. We are, at present, expanding our quarantine unit. Kennel Block Phase 2, which will house bitches in season or whelping, young pups, and special breeds such as greyhounds and hunting dogs is pending funding.

2006 - o­nGOING PLANS & BUILDING

Due to increased costs, although the building of the cattery was begun, this is still o­ngoing and awaiting necessary finance to complete.  An office, and a treatment room were completed, however.  This now means that the neutering of both dogs and cats can now be carried out by I.M.V.E.T.A. in situ. 

The quarantine building was increased from 3 to 7 kennels and a new special area was created for bitches which happen to be in season can now be kept. 

Due to a large donation from o­ne of our Dutch friends, the kennel block for whelping bitches, and special breeds such as hunting dogs, has been started - but not completed.  This kennel is awaiting more funds to finish it off because of escalating building costs which kicked in over time. 

THE FUTURE

Our goals for the future are prevention of animal cruelty, neutering and domestic pet care issues, instituted through the promotion of an educational campaign.