Do local councils delegate their responsibilities to charities and non-profits? Marbella council renews support for Triple A animal rescue.

Marbella Town Hall has renewed its financial support to animal welfare by signing an annual agreement with the Triple A association, providing a €100,000 grant to support the care of abandoned animals. But should they pay even more?

The signing ceremony, attended by Mayor Angeles Muñoz, Health Councillor Alejandro Gonzalez, and Triple A President Bettina Pietsch, played heavy on the association’s dedication to delivering professional, high-quality care for animals awaiting adoption. Mayor Muñoz praised Triple A’s long-standing service for making sure rescued and abandoned pets at their facilities receive exceptional care while waiting for permanent homes.

Muñoz said Town Hall allocated a 5,000 sqm public plot, with 2,000 sqm of modern facilities, to Triple A in order to make it feasible. She said that Triple A cares for around 300 cats and dogs and requires substantial maintenance and vet costs. She said that the agreement shows Marbella’s commitment to animal welfare management which adheres to strict standards and legal requirements.

Bettina Pietsch expressed Marbella’s local government and residents deserve our gratitude. She stated that “our work is ongoing: we accept animals in poor health, care for them and prepare them to be adopted, including internationally.”

Triple A funding is inadequate: Is the work being done by the council being performed by volunteers?

However, the €100,000 grant falls far short of covering Triple A’s needs. The rescue centre, located between Marbella and Ojén, relies heavily on fundraising to bridge the gap. Triple A is a registered charity, but the local council of Marbella, the Guardia Civil’s environmental branch SEPRONA, and the local police all use its services.

It is a common situation in Costa del Sol. This raises important questions. Without the generosity and dedication of volunteers, would mistreated or lost animals simply be left to suffer on the street and spread disease? Local authorities should not rely on the public’s goodwill in order to fulfill their legal obligations for animal welfare. What would happen if the charities disappeared, even though animal rights are enshrined into law? Spanish lawThe cogs in local government often move slowly and animals are at risk of being neglected. Maybe it’s time to start allocating more taxpayer money and stop relying on “generous” donations from local authorities.

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