PAWS Charity | Animal Welfare | Health & Veterinary | Recommended Reading | FAQ PAWS Frequently Asked Questions: Animal Welfare If You Have A Question Not Answered On This Page You Wish To Submit Please Mail It To enquiries@paws-patas.com 1. What can I do if I find an abandoned animal? PAWS can help with first line advice on what to do, as we are not always able to take the animals into the Centre due to the limits of the accommodation. We believe that you, having taken the trouble to contact us, would be willing and able to play your part for example with foster care and enquiring locally for possible foster homes until such time as accommodation becomes available or we are able to home the animal. Even if we cannot accommodate the animal we would immediately arrange for your help to take photographs which can be put on the Website or in the press as part of our homing information. 2. Can PAWS come and collect an animal if it is too wild / timid for us to catch? No. If the public are unable to catch a dog PAWS Volunteers (who are only volunteers) will not be able to either. Concerns for animals like these should be passed to SOS in Almeria. PAWS do not have a vehicle to collect animals, the only vehicles PAWS use are their volunteers own cars. 3. What basic factors should I consider before owning a dog? There are many factors to consider but here are some key guidelines. A. How will your dog be confined to your property? This answer could prevent lost pets and nuisance calls. B. What will you do with your dog if you move? For example, it is important pets are allowed when renting. C. How many hours a day will your dog be left alone? It is important to allow time for your pet. D. Do you travel often? Boarding kennels and / or passports need to be organised at such times. E. How much do you expect to spend on your dog per year? Pet responsibility has costs. F. Are you allergic to animals? This may seem a silly question but is an important factor. G. Do you know how to house train? This could avoid behavioural problems. 4. What is the law regarding dangerous dogs? From May 2002 the new law regarding dangerous dogs has been applied in every Spanish province. At the moment there are eight breeds on the list which have to comply with all of the regulations. These are Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Akita Inu. Other breeds may also become registered if they are very strong, shorthaired and have a weight of more than 20 kilos, or if they have previously been aggressive to people. All of these dogs need a microchip, an insurance for Civil Responsibility which provides cover for at least €120,202.420, an up to date vaccination book (yearly rabies vaccination) and they are obliged to wear a muzzle in public places. If the dog lives outside on a large property, the owner is responsible for ensuring that the dog cannot break the fence or escape. The owner of a "dangerous dog" needs a certificate of his "physical and psychological capability" to lead a big dog. These certificates are issued by the same centres that renew driving licenses. The owner must be adult and may not have any criminal convictions, nor have a record of bad treatment of animals. The dog's papers and the owners licence are registered in the Town Hall. The licence has to be renewed every 5 years. If the dog causes damage to second parties during this time, the licence can be withdrawn and the dog taken away from the owner. (With thanks to Dra. Inka Labsch - Clinica Veterinaria Europa) 5. Why it is important to MICROCHIP your pet and Advice regarding lost Pets. Recently PAWS received a call from a very distressed Spanish Girl who had lost her 10 month old white Bichon Maltese called Blanca. She had only moved to Mojácar Playa the previous week. PAWS telephoned the local vets with this information - more often than not if someone finds a dog the local vets clinic is their first port of call. The lady who had found the little dog in the campo near Mojácar Pueblo had done just that. The dog was reunited with its owner in just two hours. The most important thing was that this little dog had been micro-chipped. So our PAWS advice is... MICROCHIP your puppy when it is 3 months old especially if it is a special breed. All dogs should wear a collar stating that the dog has been micro-chipped. This is a deterrent against your dog being stolen. Very small breed dogs, Alsatians, hunting dogs and greyhounds are most at risk.  Besides, although not always "enforced", it is now law that all dogs and cats must be micro chipped and registered anyway.  PHOTOGRAPH your dog - then posters can be made if it is lost. DESCRIPTION - make a full description of your dog, type, male or female, colour, height , long or short-haired, stand up or droopy ears, any distinguishing marks and whether it has been neutered. IF YOU HAVE LOST YOUR PET - do the following the same day - DO NOT WAIT! A. Contact PAWS - telephone 678 490208, 678 490235, or 678 490217.  These volunteers will then make arrangements to put you on the web site. When your pet is found PLEASE let us know. B. Inform all the Vets in the local area. C. Inform the Guardia and the Policia Local. D. Make and distribute as many posters as you can. If you do not have a facility PAWS can help. Petrol Stations and Supermarkets as well as Vet Clinics are good places for putting these. Please do not forget to take these down when you find your pet. E. Flyers are also a good idea to hand out. Return to Top Copyright © 2006 P.A.W.S.-Patas, Mojácar, Almeria, Spain P.A.W.S.-Patas is a registered charity in Spain - No. 1928 Box 627 | Mojácar Costa Almeria | Spain, 04638 phone: 678 490 217 | email: enquiries@paws-patas.org