Dogs to walk the camino to raise funds

[sillydoll]

The ‘Camino Project’, to take place over eight weeks, starting mid- March 2009 where a small group of dogs with volunteers, will walk the 1,200 km from Estepona to Santiago de Compostela, to raise funds and, even more importantly, awareness of animal cruelty. Walkers are invited to join in for sections of a week or more duration, with accommodation and meals organised by Adana, at a cost of 380 euros per week approximately.

For more information please see http://www.adana.es and http://www.elcamino. adana.es or call Johanna on 951 170 012 or David on 952 89 1193 or Johanna on 699 316 394

 

[vjpulver]

Oh hoooooooow delightful! My canine companion walk together (a couple miles) each morning at dawn - greeting the new day with my 3-legged "coach and trainer" is the highlight of my day. (Yes, my best friend is missing her left, rear leg - surgically removed before we became constant companions). Zia is a trooper and thinks she is a sled dog. She lopes along like a gazelle and resembles a reindeer. The idea that I could possibly incoroarate her into my Camino adventure has my heart pounding and my brain conjuring up hundreds of plans. Thanks soooo much for posting this possibility! I will be daydreaming and brainstorming on this possibility for who know how long....Wow...

"Ginn"
http://www.pulverpages.com
In Sunny Santa Fe

 

[sillydoll]

Read an update on the Pro Animal Trek to Santiago here:
http://www.eventplannerspain.com/notici ... &idioma=En

Check the route here:
http://www.elcamino.adana.es/PaginasenE ... noesp.html

Apply online here:
http://www.elcamino.adana.es/PaginasenE ... osesp.html

 

[viajero]

When walking last spring, I met a blind pilgrim and his guide dog. The gentleman, his human companions, and the dog walk one or two weeks each year. Some days it was a little rough on the dog--sore paws, sore muscles, etc. but we sure enjoyed having that dog at the albergues with us.

 

[rafferty]

As a dog owner and someone who hates the animal cruelty I have witnessed in Spain I hope that this walk is successful.However I am curious as to how the walk is to be arranged.The Spanish trains and buses refuse to accept dogs over 7kilos,the refugios will not allow dogs and most hotels refuse dogs.This will pose major problems for individuals but more especially for groups with dogs.

 

[rafferty]

I have just double checked the weight restriction and it is actually just six kilos not seven.Furthermore the dog must be in a carrier with provision to clean out the carrier whilst the dog remains inside.Also the dog can only be taken aboard a train with the approval of other passengers.

 

[sillydoll]

According to the website above, the animals are supplied from the ADANA shelters.

The volunteers and the dogs will start out from Estepona on 15 March 2009 and arrive at Santiago de Compostela on 2 May. Along the way, meetings will be held with other associations, and there will be number of school visits and national and international press conferences, as well as other activities to ensure maximum coverage of the event.

With a maximum of 15 volunteers a week, each accompanied by a dog from ADANA’s shelter, participants are expected to cover an average of 25km a day. The association will handle logistics, such as guides, accommodation (at hotels, boarding houses, camping sites or pilgrims’ shelters), food and water, luggage transport, etc., in exchange for a cash contribution.
Each volunteer will be expected to find a sponsor for one of the dogs, with the aim of helping ADANA raise the necessary funds for building a new shelter and organizing educational projects.

 

[rafferty]

Thanks Sillydoll.That makes sense.The Spanish make it extremely difficult to do long distance walking with your dog as I have found out in the past.They don't let dogs on public transport and getting a hotel to accept a dog is very difficult.
There is a massive need to challenge the cruelty to animals that exists in Spain.For such a civilised country they collectively have a dreadful attitude to animal welfare.
Everyone knows about the bullfighting but not many people think about the poor horses that appear in the ring.For instance when walking the Camino through Leon I saw horses behind the bull-ring in a very small enclosed area surrounded by walls about ten feet high.