Welcome to the SOS Website
LATEST NEWS – For latest news, click here
SOS is an animal charity, founded in 1997 and located on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain. It is funded entirely by donations and sponsorship. We seek to:
- provide a safe and caring environment for our animals
- rehabilitate dogs damaged by their experiences
- find loving homes in Spain and other European countries
- provide veterinary care for all our animals
- neuter, microchip and vaccinate all our animals
- Click to learn more about us and our work
Every animal that comes through our gates receives the utmost care and affection. Our pledge is to never euthanase our animals unless it is absolutely essential and then only on veterinary advice. We are fortunate in having sister organisations in Sweden and the UK that help rehouse some of our animals. Click on the links in the left-hand column to visit their websites.
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The Boys Club
Sweet six boys looking for a home (Medium when full grown.)
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Scot's home for Freya
Fantastic work done in the UK by SOS Animals UK. Headed by Tania and aided by a small team SOS UK has found homes for a great number of our dogs – including six year old Freya, now in a loving home in Scotland!
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SOS FUNDRAISER – 18th MAY
Sandy Tash writes: SOS Animal Rescue are having a fundraiser on 18th May, starting at 7 pm at Mr Jeeves, Avenida Salvador Allende, Montemar, Torremolinos. Burger and chips night, 5 euros, all proceeds going to the animals. There will be a raffle, quiz and bingo too. Please support us. Call me (Sandy Tash) on 952385923 or 622231580 for more info. Hope to see you all there.
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Sad days at Santiago's
Sad to report that Scooby, favorourite dog at Santiago's, died on February 25th while undergoing surgery. Scooby, you may remember was a rescue dog taken in by Tony and Tim at Santiago's restaurant in Alhaurin. Tony Friar raised 2000 Euros for SOS by running in a sponsored half-marathon. Here are Tony and Scooby in happier times:
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An Uncomfortable Truth
Most people don't know that municipal dog pounds in this part of Spain will only keep stray dogs for about 10 days. After this, they are killed by gassing – a distressing process. Without animal charities like S.O.S, there would be more dead animals on the roads, starving in the streets, or sitting on "death row" in one of these pounds. So, we are working hard to save and re-home as many as we can. See some of our success stories below.
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Yet more successes at SOS
Watch the birdie Gino
It's snow joke when you move to Sweden from Spain to discover that weird white stuff which you just don't come across on the Costa del Sol. But when your new owner has a warm heart, and you are wearing a comfy coat who cares about snow – it's fun to run in and there's a cosy bed now awaiting Gino, the seven-year old SOS rescue dog, when he gets home. Gino was found thin and abandoned on Lauro Golf Course but his adorable personality captured the heart of Ingrid, one of SOS's Swedish volunteers and the two are now inseparable!
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Foster dogs need permanent homes
These three dogs are currently being fostered but need more permanent homes where they can get more individual attention.
First we have Fraggle – a Water Spaniel Cross. Because of previous poor treatment, Fraggle is a bit timid at first, but responds well to kindness.
He is playful and friendly, and gets on well with other dogs. With a bit of patience, he would make a great addition to any new home.
Next is Ollie, a smaller dog of under 10kg. He was found abandoned in the Campo and is now a thriving, loving and happy dog. He also gets on with other dogs and adores human company. Will climb on a lap and have a nap if he gets half a chance!
Then there is Peggy who her foster Mum says "is easily distracted by imaginary fairies". She is a teckle-size cross who is used to being with other dogs and gets on with well them. Happy and affectionate. She really needs a home with less dogs and more attention. Can you help?
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The Costs of Caring
We try never to turn an animal away, especially if it has been abandoned or is suffering. This is an expensive commitment. We desperately need your help to continue our valuable work.
On arriving at the refuge every dog and puppy costs SOS 200 euros in basic medical costs. This covers neutering, vaccinations (including rabies) blood tests and microchipping. After that each animal costs 240 euros every six months in feeding costs, plus worming and flea treatment. Our long stay sponsor dogs cost 40 euros a month each. This of course does not include subsequent vets bills should we discover a medical condition that needs treatment.
The overall running costs for the refuge depend on the number of animals at any one time, but in the winter months, it costs around 550 Euros a week for rent, food, cleaning materials, electricity and so on. This does not include veterinary bills.
Can you help us in any way? There are many ways to help (not just financial). Click the Donate and Other Help buttons on the main menu to find out more.
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And Finally...
Thank you so much for visiting our web site – we hope you have found it interesting. If you would like to find out more about our work please contact us by email, or phone – just click on Contact Us in the main menu.
