ACE is a small, hardworking organisation. Since March 2002 we’re officially recognized. The aim of ACE is to look after and to care for dogs and cats in the South of Spain. We try to find new loving homes for these animals in or outside of Spain. In The Netherlands and Belgium, ACE is known as SHIN, which is the abbreviation of Spanish Dogs in Need (Spaanse Honden in Nood). 

ACE collaborates with several animal pounds in the South of Spain. The organisation also runs its own pound El Refugio. El Refugio used to be one of the many killing stations in the surroundings of Malaga. Every week, dozens of dogs were put to sleep here after they had spend 10 days there, waiting for a new chance, a new home… The method used was horrible and many rumours went around… Sadly, nobody was able to prove these acts of horror, but some people who used to work there told us that it was very inhumanly.

Thanks to the enormous efforts of our volunteers in Spain, Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany, more than 2000 dogs were rescued and most of them rehomed since 2001. Without our volunteers, these dogs would have been put to sleep every Friday, when their 10 days had passed.

Most of these dogs were found in a terrible condition: wounded and abandoned. Dogs were brought in who had been shot, some were found in the streets, unconscious after being hit by a car and even some who had been maltreated… Their owners just left them somewhere to die…

In The Netherlands and Belgium, about 30 volunteers are busy doing all kinds of tasks, all aimed towards the shelter and rehoming of these Spanish dogs in need. It’s very important to know that these dogs are only transported to Belgium or The Netherlands when they can go to a new, definite home. These dogs are not brought to other pounds.

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer? We’re always looking for new colleagues to help collecting new materials for example or to do home checks before we rehome these dogs. There is also a shortage of ‘reception families’ to temporarily look after puppies or old and sick dogs. Everybody’s welcome! Together we can help the creatures…

He's been here for days now with nothing to do
But sit by the road, waiting for you.

He can't understand why you left him that day.
He thought you and he were stopping to play.

He's sure you'll come back, and that's why he stays.
How long will he suffer? How many more days?

His legs have grown weak, his throat's parched and dry.
He's sick now from hunger and falls, with a sigh.