We have read with amazement some of the ungenerous responses to Lil and Tony’s extraordinary and brave efforts to help animals in this area. Surely the answer is to raise funds that would enable them to more adequately house their animals and minimise any nuisance? The most important thing in the meantime is that these animals are loved and fed, even if they at present necessarily live in a confined area.
Having recently visited their place we are aware, as indeed are Tony and Lil themselves, that their arrangements are less than perfect but with adequate funding many improvements could be made. Nothing would please them better.
We would specifically point out the following:
We have talked to many Spanish residents as part of research that we carried out in order to discover contributions that we foreigners could make in Orgiva and the surrounding area. One of the chief concerns of local Spanish people was to solve the problem of stray animals which they see as a foreigner problem.
In this area Lil and Tony’s offer the only real option and the best thing that we can do is to help them improve what they are doing. If any of the contributors to this exchange can offer constructive and practical support instead of carping criticism it would be welcome.
Several neighbours of Lil and Tony are fully supportive of their work.
As far as funds allow they get the animals neutered so the population does not increase through procreation. Most of the animals that they look after have either been taken to them or they have in some way been rescued by Lil or Tony. They would otherwise have been abandoned (often by foreigners), have died of starvation, died from injuries having been run over on the roads, or have been taken away and killed in Granada.
Wherever possible Lil and Tony find new owners for the cats and dogs who can give them proper homes. They would welcome enquiries.
They treat any health problems that arise and pay vets bills in spite of having little income. They have a neighbour who keeps goats which create their own flea and smell problems.
Regarding the horses and mules, these poor animals have been given to Lil and Tony when they are literally on their last legs, old and ill. In fact one old mule found wandering on the roads and was brought to Lil and Tony by a Guardia Civil. Of course they eventually die.
Shujata and David
Comments