Fighting Against Adversity: The Story of Los Perros Negros Animal Sanctuary

Fighting Against Adversity: The Story of Los Perros Negros Animal Sanctuary

We recently announced that the social entity we will be collaborating with this year is Los Perros Negros Animal Sanctuary. (And in this "collaborating," you are included, as part of the money we will donate comes from the purchases you make on our website.)

We chose this association because several members of our community recommended it to us, highlighting not only their incredible work but also the tough times Yovana and José María face to keep their project afloat. We knew our choice was wise, but after talking with Yovana, we are convinced we couldn't have chosen better.

Yovana and Los Perros Negros' story is a powerful testimony of how willpower and determination can overcome almost any obstacle. Yovana not only gave up a relatively peaceful life but also living with her own children. She made this hard decision to continue caring for the animals under her and José's care, animals that probably wouldn't have survived without their support.

Despite the adversities - they were evicted from their former property, a fire ravaged their facilities, the company where José worked went bankrupt, and Yovana's father suffers from two very serious illnesses that represent a significant economic and emotional cost for the family - the sanctuary continues with enthusiasm and hope.

In the interview, you will discover moving stories about the 62 animals living there and learn more about Yovana, a resilient woman with a big heart and, above all, very positive. If she impresses you as much as she did us, she will tell you how you can contribute to the cause. Spoiler alert: not only with money, although that's one of the things they need most.

Yovana and José, two ordinary people, were forced by circumstances to create this refuge. They decided to dedicate their lives to the sanctuary, to the animals living there, and to those who will come. Their dedication and sacrifice are a testament to the power of compassion and resilience in action.

We now invite you to learn more about this inspiring story of dedication and sacrifice in Yovana's words:

How did the idea come about, and why did you decide to create the Sanctuary?

Los Perros Negros was born out of the need to create a safe place for animals in a hostile world for them. In 2017-2018, there were few places to relocate animals, and we realized we needed our own refuge.

It all started when we were living in an apartment in Madrid, where we rescued animals and collaborated with associations on cat colony sterilization projects, in addition to being a foster home. When we moved to a property in Ávila, our intention was to provide more space for the animals we already had and continue to be a foster home for other associations.

However, the situation quickly changed. Animals started arriving with the promise of economic and logistical support that never materialized. The first week, we received 22 hens, 6 rabbits (one pregnant), and several cats.

The situation became complicated when we rescued Takasnina, a pregnant dog from nearby dumpsters, who had 8 puppies. This led to our eviction. Faced with the relocation of 84 animals or buying a property, we sold our apartment in Madrid and bought a property in Toledo, which we completely adapted.

Tragically, in May 2019, a forest fire ravaged our property, resulting in the loss of three hens, two ferrets, all our facilities, and our car. We lost everything and had to start over with less capital than we got from selling the apartment.

In summary, we never planned to create a sanctuary. It was necessity and circumstances that led us to found Los Perros Negros, turning our desire to help into a life mission.

Balancing your activity in the sanctuary with your respective jobs must be exhausting. How do you manage it, and what motivates you to continue?

It's exhausting, without a doubt. Many people have an idealized view of what a sanctuary is, but the reality is that it's a life of much work and sacrifice. Additionally, we need external jobs to maintain the sanctuary, adding even more fatigue to the equation.

We organize ourselves in shifts so the refuge is never alone. The animals' safety is our priority, both for possible thefts and veterinary emergencies. My partner works 8 hours in the morning on renovations and small jobs since the company he worked for went bankrupt last year. On my side, I work on a property, cleaning and gardening. When he gets home, I go to work, and thus we ensure the sanctuary is always occupied.

What motivates us to continue are the animals. Seeing them well cared for and happy gives us the strength to keep going. Although our situation is precarious, we are driven by the hope of improvement, preparing new facilities, and having the necessary resources to help more animals. We dream that the sanctuary can be self-sufficient and continue to be a safe haven in a world often hostile to animals.

How many animals did you start with, and how many do you have now? How do they arrive at your sanctuary?

When we moved to Ávila, we took 15 animals with us. In less than three months, that number grew to 84. Currently, in our Toledo sanctuary, we care for 62 animals.

People contact us in various ways: phone calls, direct messages on our social media, or emails. Sometimes, it's the municipal police who call us for interventions and emergencies. Other times, we rescue animals directly from the street or dumpsters, and sometimes we are informed of abuse cases by neighbors. Sometimes, associations contact us because they don't have space or can't take in certain animals.

Unfortunately, we have to say no in many cases because our capacity is very limited. Our financial resources are also limited, and we have no grants or public aid. We work a lot on social media, organize events, and charity sales to raise funds.

And finally, what motivates you to continue every day despite the difficulties?

What motivates us is seeing the animals well cared for, happy, and safe. Each one of them has a story, and knowing they are safe and happy gives us the strength to continue. We dream of improving their facilities, having the resources necessary to help more animals, and making the sanctuary self-sufficient. We hope our story inspires others to get involved and help animals in every possible way.

We hope our story has touched you as much as it has inspired us. If you wish to contribute to this cause, whether through donations, volunteering, or sharing our story, you can contact Los Perros Negros Animal Sanctuary via their social media or website. Every little gesture counts and helps make a difference in the lives of these precious animals.