SEPTEMBER 2024
Hello dear and loyal newsletter readers. Every month I share with you the stories and events of the rescued animals that have found refuge here at Finca Noah. More and more animal-loving people are following along with us and are with us in spirit, thinking of us and our animals when we introduce you to an animal and tell their story.
Hello dear and loyal newsletter readers.
Every month I share with you the stories and events of the rescued animals that have found refuge here at Finca Noah. More and more animal-loving people are following along with us and are with us in spirit, thinking of us and our animals when we introduce you to an animal and tell their story.
In animal welfare, you experience beautiful moments, but also sad and shocking ones.
And then something unfathomable happens that makes you feel like the ground is being pulled out from under your feet……
The Animal Police team fights tirelessly against animal suffering on the Spanish island of Mallorca. For almost 5 years, we have been advocating for abandoned, abused, injured, unloved, homeless, and neglected animals. Animals rescued from the streets, freed from slaughter at the last second, reported or brought to us due to mistreatment, and not infrequently simply disposed of in public garbage bins at the roadside. We make no distinction whether it's a horse or a small rabbit. Whether dog, cat, bird, goose, sheep, etc. Whether the animal needs immediate veterinary care or "only" a place to live in a species-appropriate way. We take in virtually any animal. We provide the animal with a sheltered, warm place, regular food, and veterinary care when needed—we also provide medication if necessary. But above all, we give the animals the feeling of being loved and needed. We socialize the animals and search for the best and most loving home. Sustainable animal welfare is enormously important to us—only in this way can we rescue the many animals that desperately need help. Every animal has needs and requires not only its own species companions but also a human, a friend by its side. We try to implement all of this daily as the Animal Police team. Caring for the animals is just one part of animal welfare work. Organizing everything else and maintaining the enclosures is equally important. Only in a clean place can an animal truly recover.
Our 15 different animal species each have their own living space. Lovingly designed enclosures, with plenty of space, a cozy, warm place to rest, and shelter in the form of wooden houses, can be found throughout the Finca Noah property along a well-maintained path that resembles a trail through the grounds.
These wooden houses serve the animals for protection from wind and weather. European animal welfare law requires that every farm animal be provided with a roof over its head. And that's exactly what we did. We provided the animals with a modern, charming shelter that can be easily dismantled at any time. The farm animals—horses, donkeys, sheep, chickens, rabbits, etc.—are officially registered. When registering, we asked what we were allowed to build for the animals. The municipality told us that the wooden houses are not officially permitted, but they are tolerated as long as there is no plaintiff. We have a permit for these animals, and therefore we must also act according to animal welfare laws. However, building regulations say something different. A property like Finca Noah, classified as Suelo Rústico, can only be built on 1.5 percent of its area. And this permitted area is usually exhausted by the main house. This means the wooden houses are illegal under building regulations, but mandatory under animal welfare law. It's a contradiction—the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. A mess that makes species-appropriate animal welfare here on Mallorca almost impossible.
There are people who cannot be described in words. So much hatred, malice, discontent, and envy within them. These people reported us. Reported us for illegally constructed wooden houses. Now we are being threatened with the demolition of the houses. They threaten to take our animals away and bring them to Natura Park to be killed, and they have issued us a hefty fine. Inspectors visited Finca Noah multiple times to document everything. We felt like serious criminals. They treated us as if we were animal abusers instead of animal protectors. The wildlife protection police, Seprona, also came for an inspection. The officer spent nearly 4 hours inspecting everything thoroughly. Chip and passport numbers were checked against the animals and documented (all recorded by hand). At the end, he apologized multiple times. He apologized for making us feel, through the work he must do, as if we had done something wrong. He is more than enthusiastic about Finca Noah. He has not seen such a beautiful and perfect place for animals anywhere else on the island. And as a wildlife protection officer, he has already seen a lot. Seprona found no violation of animal welfare law—only that we are missing a license for pets such as dogs and cats. We requested the document "Núcleo Zoológico" with the help of our veterinarian in December 2022, after the number of rescued pets kept increasing, and we are still waiting for approval today.
A lady from the municipality/town hall reached out to us. We invited her to visit Finca Noah. Almost at a loss for words, the lady looked around and had everything explained to her. Afterward, she formally apologized to us and our animals and gave us enormous praise. She too has never seen such a beautiful, lovingly built, and clean animal sanctuary. She is infinitely sorry about what is happening to us and deeply regrets not visiting us much earlier to form her own picture.
Due to the report, the landlord unfortunately will not renew the lease. By the end of October, we must leave the property with over 200 animals. All the stables and enclosures that were lovingly built with great passion and dedication over almost a year must be dismantled and torn down again.
After all these incredible events, we were devastated, emotionally shattered, at our wit's end, and simply so emotionally affected that we couldn't find a peaceful moment at night. We had to find a Plan B, which is really not easy to find under such enormous time pressure. Nevertheless, after a long search, we found a farm that we could purchase for the animals of Finca Noah and for the many other animals that still need help. We as a Swiss animal welfare association do not have the financial means to purchase this farm. But it is the only way to provide the animals with a safe home with all the permits that are needed.
We need your help. We need the support of our fans, our friends, family, and animal welfare advocates.
The entire Animal Police team wants to give a huge thank you and praise to very special people.
Salto is organizing a benefit gala in favor of Animal Police. The event date is November 27, 2024, in Kloten/Zurich. The gala premiere will focus on the animals throughout the evening. Such a wonderful gesture and opportunity—we don't know how we'll ever thank you for this chance we now have to save our animals. We thank the Salto family with all our hearts, Anja Walder, and her entire team, who are now working at full speed to ensure we all have an unforgettable evening on November 27 and accomplish something wonderful.
Secure your ticket and help us buy the home our animals desperately need and truly deserve.
Thanks to the extensive network of Farah de Tomi, we were able to convince many celebrities and personalities to support us. Patricia Kelly will open the Grand Opening with her beautiful voice. Sven Epiney will accompany and guide us through the evening with his moderation. Brigitte Oertli and Urs Althaus will personally welcome you and greet you at the entrance. Look forward to many more celebrities spending the evening with us.
We must reach a wide audience so we are seen and heard everywhere. We need every bit of support. Help us rescue the animals of Finca Noah and many more animals on Mallorca. Your help can be a donation or spreading our calls for help and posts on social media. Please share our posts, tell everyone you know about us. And please, ask every one of your friends to donate.
You can support our animals with a donation
Or by purchasing a ticket for the Grand Opening Show by Salto on November 27 in Kloten/Zurich.
We thank you in the name of the animals for reading and for your support.
Nadine and the entire Animal Police team.