Collaboration

Animal protection at the grassroots level also means, among other things, that one should start where the abomination of animal abuse begins - namely with humans. From now on, the Animal Welfare Foundation will therefore invite various school classes to its animal sanctuary at irregular intervals in order to sensitise the youngest members of society to the issue of animal welfare at an early age. On site, in our refuge, the pupils learn everything about the animals and the fates associated with them from our volunteer staff member Elke Peetz. This is an important measure, especially on Mallorca, where animals are predominantly perceived as "things" and not as living beings with feelings and needs. Many locals dispose of unwelcome animals in a cruel way: A hearty "slap" against the wall of the house or drowning small kittens in sealed bags are just examples of what happens on Mallorca every day. 

During their visits, the children learn in a playful way that animals need to be cared for and, above all, castrated so that they do not reproduce unhindered. Identification by means of microchip is also important so that the animals can be found again and assigned if necessary. These are our top priorities and we hope that we can positively influence a new generation with them. Because only with the active help of the population can we also pursue active animal welfare at the grassroots level in the long term.

Feral cats are a dime a dozen on Mallorca, or worse, like towels on the most popular beach at Ballermann. Targeted feeding stations, which our staff fill twice a day in the same places, are intended to provide food for Pedro the cat and all the other feral cats. Our volunteers then try to catch the animals, give them medical care, neuter them and tag them. Depending on whether a wild cat can be tamed or not, it is then either reintroduced to the wild or given a loving home in Germany or Switzerland. Cats that have been reintroduced into the wild are of course still free and have no owner, but they can no longer reproduce unhindered by neutering. This is a very important point in animal welfare.

Our animal protection police react quickly and, above all, where they are needed. We don't wear a uniform like the real police, but we are friends and helpers of free-living animals and, above all, the last bastion for creatures in need. With the animal protection van, a Renault Kangoo, which we recently bought in Germany with donations, converted and equipped to meet animal welfare requirements and were able to transfer to Spain via France, our volunteers collect wild and injured animals, especially stray cats and dogs.
The van has a loading space in the back where we can place transport cages to drive the animals as quickly and safely as possible, e.g. to the nearest animal hospital. Kittens with broken hind legs, guinea pigs with broken backs in the dustbin, dogs with open and bleeding holes in their faces - we spare many an animal in pain a dark fate. With the help of the animal protection van, we naturally also take free-roaming animals to the vet for castration in order to prevent unhindered reproduction and thus get the problem of the above-average population under control in the long term.

A home for the feral cats - what can that look like? We are in the construction phase of cat houses in which we want to house the captive cats in a species-appropriate way. The cats live together in so-called kennels, have enough space to run around and are no longer exposed to any dangers. They can stay here in the loving care of our staff member Elke Peetz until they are placed.
One of these houses already exists, three more cat houses and a dog house are being planned. A company on Mallorca that sells the required materials is waiving 25 percent of the costs, but we need additional volunteer craftsmen and staff to realise this project.

Dreamlike sunsets, the sound of the sea and a warm summer wind are what many people dream of. Mallorca is not the Germans' favourite island for nothing. Those who could not afford it until now, would like to come back, have not yet had the opportunity or would simply like to spend a great time with us and the animals, can now help us - we will take over board and lodging and provide a car for the leisure time; only the journey must be organised and paid for by the participants themselves. Our staff, who spend all their free time and money caring for our four-legged friends, need support or a substitute to care for the various animals. A guest room on a finca has just been renovated and is available for the project "Work & Travel" (German: Leben und Arbeiten). We are looking for reliable people who are willing to spend about four to five hours a day to care for the animals together with us or independently as a substitute. This includes providing food in the mornings and evenings, cleaning the animal houses and sanctuaries and generally looking after the animals. This may include catching kittens that have escaped or simply taking stock of all the animals. If you know someone who would like to help us and who also cares about the well-being of our fellow creatures, please get in touch with us - by the way, petting is also included in this holiday.