"We're desperate, we need help as soon as possible," admits Julia, who runs a home for stray and abandoned dogs in Xátiva (Valencia).

Since the end of last month they have taken in 23 puppies, mostly unwanted hunting dogs, and resources are so stretched that the volunteers have each had to take some home.

Furthermore, there is no money for vaccines or cleaning products to keep the kennels clean and there is only enough food for less than a month.

This is an unwanted second crisis for the centre, which was flooded in last October's torrential rains when thirty puppies drowned.

A sponsorship scheme has been launched so that concerned animal-lovers can make a small monthly donation of say €5-10 euros without having to take on the full responsibility involved in actual adoption.

http://www.protectoraxativa.org/