The Dogs in Algeciras are running and playing freely now ....

Look at all these dear, sweet faces - all free now, all safe

Fabienne brought us some more good news this week. It actually happened six months ago, but she realises not everyone knows about it so she wants to share it so we can all enjoy it. For many years the pound at Algeciras was a very bad and sad killing station. The dog catcher was a cruel man, who  killed many dogs without being punished in any way. He would beat them to death and abuse them badly and he got away with it because he was protected by the president of the pound.

Paky fought day and night for justice for these animals. She is Fabienne's soul mate. They have worked together for years to take as many dogs and cats as possible out of that killing station. Apart from all the dogs, Paky also looks after eighty cats. It's been an agonising and uphill struggle. On one occasion, Paky had found homes for five Podencos; she had arranged flights to take them to new homes in Germany. The morning she arrived to pick them up to go to the airport all five were dead in their cage. It will come as no surprise to hear that no one would admit to anything, everyone turned a blind eye.

There were many more stories like that one. So many times Fabienne has seen Paky and her volunteers in tears, in utter despair because of that bastard of a man. But they didn't give up, they kept on fighting. Together the team from Algeciras and the team at El Refugio joined forces, refusing to accept what this man was doing. And now. And now their hard work has paid off.

The president has been sacked. And not before time. And because of that the bastard man can no longer work there and the dogs and cats will no longer suffer at his hands. Unfortunately he can't be sacked entirely as he as a contract with the local authority, just to pick up the dogs and bring them to the shelter. But he won't be able to hurt the animals ever again. No one involved in this cruelty has been punished, however at least they are gone. They no longer have any power.

Paky is in charge now. She is responsible for what is now the refuge of Algeciras. If she and Fabienne had anything to do with it this man would be banished, he wouldn't be allowed to even pick up the dogs. However, everything step by step. His contract will end eventually. Fabienne and Paky will carry on working together, committed to all these dear dogs, to finding them wonderful new homes. And in the meantime, the dogs are cherished and cared for kindly and taken out of their cages for several hours every day to run free in the sunshine - happy and safe until they can finally go home.