Joshua Parfitt
AN animal protector involving expat volunteers is set to win back a two-year contract with Denia town after losing to a company that allegedly ‘kills unwanted dogs’.
Asociacion Protectora de Animales de Denia (APAD) were disqualified after making a budget error in their tender application this year.
The contract was provisionally awarded to the only other applicant: Seproanimal SL, a private, for-profit business that operates in 59 Valencian municipalities.
Seproanimal SL came under heavy criticism, however, when a Change.org petition emerged last month claiming the company puts down unwanted dogs after two months.
Serproanimal SL was one step from winning the contract, but failed to submit their final proposal by an August 7 deadline.
“The force of public pressure must have made Serproanimal SL realise they are not welcome here,” Sue Jorgenson, 71, who’s daughter started the petition, told the Olive Press.
The British regular volunteer attended a demonstration against Serproanimal SL’s alleged policy of killing dogs on August 8.
She said the demonstration turned into a ‘celebration’ as protesters were told the contract will return to APAD, following Serproanimal SL’s failure to meet a deadline the day before.
The shelter is now set to continue working with police in the care and rescue of abandoned dogs in Denia.
Sue started volunteering at APAD after her husband passed away four years ago.
The shelter has since become an important ‘community’ for her.
“It’s more than just taking care of dogs, we’re involved with local schools, even UK schools, and always we’re open to the public,” she said.
“English, Dutch, Germans and Spanish all muck in – you can never give a dog too many walks.
“It’s this integration we will lose if the shelter became a for-profit business.”
She added APAD has a strict ‘no-kill’ policy – unless a dog is terminally ill.
The association once cared for an unwanted dog for ‘3,219’ days before it was rehomed, Sue said.
A spokesman for Denia town hall confirmed to the Olive Press the ‘floor has been reopened’ for APAD.
“After APAD receives an official notification, the charity will have 10 days to submit their final documentation.”
