Whilst the island of Ibiza is a holiday paradise for everyone from International glitterati to San An stag weekenders, it is probably best known as the dance music capital of the world. Additionally, Ibiza is fast becoming reborn as a healing haven, but unfortunately the island is not always blissful for man’s best friend. Dogs, and cats, have a really tough time here, especially in the summer.
Withholding from cataloguing the various animal diseases and sicknesses prevalent on the island, the animals’ main struggle is often simply summer season. Summertime is not as much fun for our furry friends as it is for the 2 legged terrestrials. Increased traffic, absentee owners, heat stroke, dehydration, saunas (aka being left in the car) and of course, summer romances (where they get dumped at the end of the summer) all threaten their wellbeing. Additionally many animals run wild: indigenous dogs (you can often see Podencos – like the ones honoured in bronze at the Pacha roundabout) and feral cats – whose numbers are beyond calculation.
But this tail is not a hopeless one (typo intended). There are several organisations and people who want to help our furry Ibicenco friends (I refer to the 4 legged variety): and you can help too – irrespective of your age, race, nationality, sex, sexual or musical preference and especially your residential or holiday status. Here’s how: Sa Coma is the island ‘dog’s home’ and they would love help to walk the dogs that reside there (cats reside there too, but the cats don’t require walking). Better still if you can give one a forever home. Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays 0900-1100 are the dog walking times, and Thursday afternoons 1800-1930. So if you fancy bonding with a hairy homeless one this is your opportunity. Sa Coma is on the San Antonio carreterra/motorway opposite Hipercentro. More info on their website (site in Spanish but English spoken) and their facebook page.
Care4Cats does what it says on the tin, well title. Care4Cats has neutered more than 10,000 cats in Ibiza since 2000. By doing this, it stops more feral and homeless and unwanted cats being born and therefore creating more feral and homeless and unwanted cats being born (yes, unless they are neutered it is a never ending cycle). For more information check the website.
Eivissa Animal Centre is a new charity that had its first fundraiser in April. Born out of Care4Cats presence on the island and need for a centre, the Eivissa Animal Centre is a revolutionary new veterinary clinic and animal centre focusing on all aspects of animal care, control and education and it plans to raise enough money to fund an permanent animal centre here in Ibiza. For more information check the website.
And if you happen upon a lost dog (or any pet) in Ibiza you can help them find their owner by posting on www.facebook.com/pages/Ibiza Lost Dog/Perro Perdido – in today’s age of modern technology it could not be easier – post photo and detail.
Wishing you a great July … and let’s hope we can share and improve Essential Health and Happiness with our Ibiza animal friends.
Emma PranaSol
www.pranasol.com
info@pranasol.com