The Halt and the Lame - every single one is precious.

Every single dog rescued by A.C.E. is a soul worth saving. Each one deserving of a happy future, full of love, with a warm basket and an adoring family.

Lame, blind, deaf, incontinent, traumatised – these and other conditions are never seen as reasons to reject or euthanize. They are seen as a challenge and a reason to strive by every means possible to heal, cure or, where that’s not possible, to find a way round the problem.

And our foster families and our adopting families have hearts as big as the world. They open them to all our dogs, not simply the young and beautiful, but to the old and physically challenged – to the halt and the lame. 

So – here are just a few of the ‘special needs’ dogs currently in our care. All gorgeous darlings waiting for that special family who will wipe away their dreadful memories and show them how wonderful and kind humans can be. And despite their past sufferings, they will show you what the term 'unconditional love' really means.

Our smiling Golfito ...

He's brave and he's strong, loving and gentle, despite the foul and terrible way he was treated by the hunters. What he lacks in a missing paw he more than makes up for with his sweet nature. He loves people, he loves us but he's suffering a different way now because he desperate for a family of his very own. He hungers for love and companionship. Can you help our beautiful Golfito? He'll love you to pieces forever and we'll love you for bringing happiness to this dear, kind dog.

Handsome Nemo is seven years old. He's no longer a puppy - which didn't give his owners the right to throw him out, to leave him on the road where he was hit by a car and left to die. He has old injuries as well a the new ones. He's had a bad time but rather than turn on humans he's kind and sweet with us and with all the other dogs and with the cats as well.

Poor little Cecilio landed in our midst. Quite literally. Suddenly there was a noise and something came flying over the high wall of the Refugio.  It landed with a thud. Not an 'it' - a dog. This wonderful fellow. He lay there in shock. Everyone thought he was dead. But he opened his beautiful sad eyes and we knew there was hope. He's recovering now. He's a sweetie. A darling. All he needs now is the special care of a loving family.

Janette is longing for a new boss. As Fabienne says 'a German Shepherd without a boss is like a vase without flowers.' Skinny, neglected and blind in one eye she was found by a couple who are caring for her until she can find a permanent, loving home. She's a terrific sociable soul, loyal and very sweet. Great with people, good with all the dogs - big and little and even with the cats.

Netje. Another sweet, quiet dog who's led a dreadful life. Skin and bones, she was thrown out of her owner's car at the gates of the Refugio. She was sick, maltreated and underfed, despite being a Bordeaux, a very expensive breed. She's only a puppy still, less than a year old. We're treating her Leishmania, we're doing everything we can and she's responding. Soon she'll need the best medicine of all. A new, caring family.

 What does it feel like to be shut in a box and left in a field in the blistering heat? Little Raton could tell you, if only he could speak.  One thing's for sure, he wanted to survive. He howled and howled until someone heard his cries and didn't pass by.  At first he was so traumatised but day by day he came out of his shell. He loves to stay close to you, adores playing with his ball - he'll fetch it over and over again. Look at that sweet face - wouldn't you like to take him home with you?

At eight years old you are already middle aged, if not indeed old, in dog terms. Imagine the shock and distress to find yourself taken from your home by your boss and literally dumped in the garbage. Who could do that to a faithful companion? Yet that's what happened to poor Yuko. Someone found him in the trash and instead of taking him to a rescue shelter brought him to the killing station. Thank goodness we found him there. He's a lovely character and will repay someone's kindness and love with faithfulness and gratitude.

Another sweet old cocker with a heartbreaking story. Old Dona is ten years old. This time it wasn't an heartless boss who left her. For Dona's boss was a quiet old man, forced by todays appalling economic circumstances, to say goodbye to his faithful and much loved companion. He didn't look back. I have no doubt because he was too upset, too blinded by tears. Dona too sits by the gate and cries with grief and disbelief. But he loved her too much to bring her to a killing station. He knew we'd look after her and we will. We're determined to find her an adoring family who'll help her get over her sadness.

We don't know how she reached us. By what effort of will? Did she know, by some instinct, that she'd be safe with us. However, by the time she'd come close she was too weak to go on. She was found curled up next to the cat's house, a cord tied tightly round her neck, making it difficult to breathe. She's so sick, so worn out. She's had puppies and her eyes are full of sorrow. She'd forgotten how to eat, almost how to survive. But we'll take over now. We call this graceful lady Reina Sofia. She's getting a little bit stronger, she's beginning to wag her tail, even if feebly. She knows we love her. It doesn't take much imagination to see what a beautiful dog she will become once she's put on weight and her soul has had time to recover. With love.