The DANA that has ravaged several provinces in Spain has left a trail of flooded cities, dead and missing. There have been many human casualties, but in addition, the DANA also caused animal suffering. Because animal shelters have also been destroyed.
From the first hours of the storm, the authorities have been trying to save the pets that the residents have not been able to take with them. Or because shelters have been destroyed. Many animals have ended up on the streets or in makeshift shelters, such as the one on the football field of Sporting Benimaclet (Valencia).
Volunteers are committed to animals
Hundreds of volunteers work tirelessly to save the lives of animals. And to rehouse the animals that do not have identification chips.
“The animals arrive covered in mud. They are in a state of shock, and some of them have infections and parasites,” explains Carolina Ugarte, spokesperson for Sporting Benimaclet. So far, they have taken in more than 230 dogs, a hundred cats, and farm animals. They need shelter and care until they are permanently adopted or picked up by their owners.
Collaboration
The volunteers of this football field work together with the Protectora de Animales de Burjassot (Burjassot Animal Protection). Here, in tents, they do everything they can to help the animals with non-perishable food, kennels, harness and equipment. To take care of them and treat their wounds. Many animals need antiparasitic drugs because lots of them arrive at centres full of mud, fleas, and are very scared.
The shelters ask for blankets, food, kennels, sandboxes, cleaning products and utensils, sand, food bowls, beds, sheets, towels, cans of food and sanitary facilities (to treat injured animals). Also, many of the shelters are difficult to reach, so collection points are set up around the affected areas to avoid crowds.
Volunteer veterinarians
Furthermore, these are not the only initiatives being carried out in the disaster area of the DANA. In Chiva, one of the hardest-hit municipalities, volunteer veterinarians are being called in. “We try to track them down and send them to veterinary centres to have them treated,” explains Álvaro Cervera, one of the volunteer veterinarians.
Also read: How to help DANA victims in Valencia