APAA (Association for the
Protection of Abandoned Animals) was established to respond to the
critical situation of abandoned animals in the region of
Trégor-Goëlo. The SPA refuge at Pommerit-le-Vicomte, the only
organization for animal shelter in the region, was under permanent
threat of closure because of lack of conformity with the law. The
only response to overpopulation by this refuge was euthanasia for
the least "adoptable" among the animals.
During this period Monique Gicquel was a volunteer at the Pommerit
refuge, and travelled a hundred kilometres daily to take care of
the animals. Appalled by the way the refuge operated, she was on
the point of giving up on several occasions. But that would have
meant abandoning her little protégés to their sad fate!
She founded APAA in 1999, with several other people of good will,
and took the first steps to launch the construction of a new refuge.
In the spring of 2000 the association acquired land at Trégrom.
Now the construction work could begin.
It was the right moment! The SPA (Société Protectrice des
Animaux) refuge at Pommerit-le-Vicomte was closed in July 2000 by
order of the prefect, and the 49 dogs who lived there were
condemned to euthanasia. Unacceptable for the members of APAA! The
association took on the dogs of the Pommerit refuge, and put them
up in a makeshift shelter while awaiting the completion of
construction at Trégrom. The dogs were finally moved to the new
premises in May 2001.
Status
and missions
APAA (Association for the
Protection of Abandoned Animals) is a non-profit association under
the law of 1901, registered at the sous-préfecture of Lannion
(Côtes d'Armor) on 28 Septembe 1999. Its missions include
protecting, sheltering and rehoming any dog in distress. In
addition to caring for dogs abandoned by their owners, the APAA
also temporarily takes in animals belonging to people in serious
difficulty (e.g. hospitalization, eviction). Finally, one of the
association's objectives is to investigate when cases of cruelty
to animals are brought to its attention.
How it
works
The association does not
practice euthanasia and thus its objective is to find new homes
for all the dogs at the refuge. Older dogs are taken care of until
their natural death, and sick dogs are cared for. Completely
independent of the SPA, APAA receives no grants. The association
functions thanks to the dedication of its volunteers, through fees
from adoptions, and by means of giftswhich
are always welcome, whatever the amount. The construction work was
made possible thanks to Christiane Troubetz-Koy, who financed the
refuge.
The
Trégrom refuge
The Refuge of the Garenne
at Trégrom was completed in July 2001, and its guests are now
sheltered in a brand new building. The refuge is located some 20
kilometres from the sea, which ensures that the dogs experience a
mild climate (blankets are still welcome!); it can take in about
50 residents. The interior of the refuge is bright, thanks to the
large translucent openings over each kennel. Each dog has an igloo
individual kennel where it can sleep or isolate itself from its
companions in the kennel. Since autumn 2002, each kennel
communicates with an outside
run where the dogs can go outside to take the air and watch
the birds. The individual exercise runs enable the dogs to come
and go freely between the exterior (let's go watch the birds!) and
the interior (look, a new visitor!), which always gives them great
pleasure. Having a run per kennel rather than a large common
courtyard offers many advantages. It makes it possible to let all
the dogs out at the same time without fear of scuffles or unwanted
pregnancies. Outside the refuge the environment is green and
quiet, good for pleasant walks, which the dogs appreciate
enormously.
Here is the refuge as it appears to
visitors who arrive by the gravelled road that winds through
fields. They can park right near the refuge and enter by the big
green double door which opens onto the central access corridor.
The windows to the left of the door open onto the office, while
those to the right of the door belong to the toilets and the
infirmary.
On the two long sides of the
building you will see the outdoor runs where the dogs take the
air, as well as the doors communicating with the pens. This is a
close-up of the yards seen from the back of the refuge.
And here is the other side of the
refuge with its row of runs, again seen from the rear of the
building. On the roof above each kennel, a translucent panel lets
in light.
Encouraging
results!
Since beginning its work,
APAA has been responsible for the adoption of 1000 dogs, or more
than 400 dogs per year. The average number of adoptions per month
has gone from 22 per month in 2000 to more than 40 per month in
2002.
The
Association's projects
APAA plans to lay out big
fenced areas of about 650 square metres each behind the refuge,
which will make it possible for the dogs to exercise in partial
freedom. We hope these exercise areas will be ready by the end of
the year 2003, if the association manages to put together the
amount needed to pay for the fencing! Unfortunately, funds to
carry out the work are insufficient, although it is essential for
the well-being of the animals.
You can help us!!
If you would like to
improve the daily life of the dogs in the refuge, you could:
First, support the association by a gift, however
small: fill in our form and a paper
acknowledging your support will be sent to you.
Next, adopt one of the dogs who await you at
the refuge, and who will return your affection a hundred times
over.
If you cannot adopt, but you are especially
drawn to one of our dogs, you can sponsor
him or her!
You can also bring to the refuge, food, blankets,
leashes and dog toys.
Talk to those around you as much as possible
about our association, the refuge and this Web site
You can come to the refuge every day from 13h30
to help the volunteers in their daily tasks or to walk the dogs.
All those with good will are welcome!
