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Every dog has his day at Spanish centre

www.telegraph.co.uk Telegraph.co.uk - United Kingdom

Run by an expat couple, the Alpha Dog Centre functions as a summer camp,
boot camp and a sanctuary. Beryl Brennan reports.

Last Updated: 12:01am BST 08/04/2008

Not every expat in Spain has retired; Paul and April Carrier certainly
haven't.

Visitors to their home need to be on their best behaviour, as Paul describes
it as "a summer camp to some, a boot camp to others, and a sanctuary for the
homeless".

It's a lively mixture - especially as the visitors have four legs rather
than two.

They set up their Alpha Dog Centre at Rota, near Cadiz, eight years ago, and
now run courses on obedience training, guard and defence work.

That's the "boot camp" side of the operation, but expats hungry for a taste
of home can depart safe in the knowledge that their dogs are enjoying their
own home from home experience at the "summer camp", which includes a
swimming pool.

The couple are also involved in the ongoing campaign to improve the lives of
Spanish dogs, hence the "homeless" aspect.

"There's been a gradual improvement in pet care in recent years", says
April. "But there's still widespread neglect and cruelty in many farming
areas."

The authorities are trying to tackle the issue of animal cruelty - a new
animal welfare law introduced in January 2007 includes fines of up to
€100,000 for those who ill-treat domestic pets.

April adds: "The Guardia Civil have the right to stop people with a dog and
ask to see its papers. If you haven't got them, you can be fined. They can
also investigate a complaint made about suspected animal cruelty, but it's
all very hard to enforce."

Paul and April's main work in this field is rehabilitating groups of 10 to
20 galgos (Spanish greyhounds) for adoption.

"We are spared the reality of the desperate day-to-day struggle undergone by
volunteers working in the animal refuges on the 'front line'," says Paul.

But the couple work closely with the Acogida de San Anton refuge in
Villamartin, Andalucia, which looks after around 70 galgos, and 125 other
dogs. And every day on average another 10 dogs are brought or left tied to
their gate, according to the staff.

For more information on the work of the Acogida refuge:

email: saskiariniavannauta@hotmail.com

For information on the Alpha Dog Centre:

log on to: www.alphadogworld.com