Spanish Gota Fria Flooded Animal Rescue Centre Finds New Home

A Spanish animal shelter wrecked by last year’s gota fria weather event is finally in its new home.

Big Red’s Animal Association’s rescue centre in Dolores was devastated by last September’s terrifying gota fria storms and resultant floods, with the property and land totally washed away. The three pigs, 16 dogs and three cats who’d survived the floods due to the rescue attempts of shelter workers have been cared for by supporters of the charity and it’s now rehomed in a beautiful old farmhouse sadly in need of restoration and loving care.

Owner of the shelter Suella and her son Jon were heartbroken after the rains stopped and the flood waters went down, knowing the old shelter was far too far gone to be renovated. Feeding and managing the surviving animals was a nightmare, although Suella told local media she’d been amazed by the rush of compassion and help from expats and locals alike. Volunteers came forward, offering temporary homes for all the animals, who remained scattered in various locations until a forever home appeared.

Suella and her son are now working to refurbish a beautiful old farmhouse in poor condition, in order to be able to bring all the shelter animals back together in one safe place. The work, she says, is only now beginning, but her son is with her and helping with the rebuild. A safe dog run, a visitor centre, a spacious cattery and a pig-shack are estimated to cost 10,000 euros in total, with a buy-a-brick campaign now in place. Five euros gets a large brick and plaque stating the donation, and applications to sponsor any of the rescued animals are received with open arms.