Thousands run with dogs in Madrid to fight against cruelty
The streets of the Spanish capital on Sunday were filled with owners and their dogs in an event aimed at raising awareness of the abandoned pets waiting for homes in shelters across Spain.
Around 3,500 dogs of assorted breeds ran through the streets of Madrid in the fifth annual Perroton – Dogathon – an event aimed at encouraging people to adopt abandoned dogs from shelters, rather than buy them from breeders.
"Our message is to promote adoption as the responsible way to own a pet," explained actor and singer Alejandra Botto, who launched Perrotón 2016.
"Each year there are more adoptions… we want to continue to encourage people to adopt, to understand that adopting is a great thing to do because the shelters are full of every kind of dog."
Runners joined a 4km route through Plaza de Colón, down Madrid’s main avenue the Paseo de la Castellana to the Plaza de Cibeles.
3,2,1... sí ha comenzado la #perrotonmadrid2016 #nocompresadopta @AlejandraBotto @RobertoLealG @susanagasch @AlbertCastillon @_IreneVilla_ pic.twitter.com/7SI0QaLpZO
— Fernando Ramos (@Fernand0Ram0s) October 16, 2016
To a cacophony of barks, runners navigated dogs on leads, while some owners chose to carry their pampered pooches in their arms to complete the run.
Among those to join the event was James Costos, the U.S. Ambassador to Spain and his dog Greco.
Greco and I will run in the @PerrotonEspana to highlight the work of the U.S. Government against animal cruelty. https://t.co/2Pj0AYmnWs pic.twitter.com/BnIAEAOJ0a
— Ambassador Costos (@JamesCostos) October 14, 2016
The ambassador received an honorary award for his country's efforts against animal cruelty in recognition of the FBI adding animal cruelty to its list of Class A felonies, alongside homicide and arson.
Spain has made great strides in recent years to clamp down on animal cruelty with several landmark cases seeing abusive owners sent to jail for cruelty to their dogs.
Earlier this year, the Madrid regional parliament introduced a "no kill policy" at its animal shelters ending a practice that saw healthy strays sacrificed if they weren’t claimed or rehomed within ten days.
Since the summer Madrid has allowed dogs to travel on the metro.
By then end of the year, city authorities said that a pet adoption centre will be opened within the Retiro park.
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Around 3,500 dogs of assorted breeds ran through the streets of Madrid in the fifth annual Perroton – Dogathon – an event aimed at encouraging people to adopt abandoned dogs from shelters, rather than buy them from breeders.
"Our message is to promote adoption as the responsible way to own a pet," explained actor and singer Alejandra Botto, who launched Perrotón 2016.
"Each year there are more adoptions… we want to continue to encourage people to adopt, to understand that adopting is a great thing to do because the shelters are full of every kind of dog."
Runners joined a 4km route through Plaza de Colón, down Madrid’s main avenue the Paseo de la Castellana to the Plaza de Cibeles.
3,2,1... sí ha comenzado la #perrotonmadrid2016 #nocompresadopta @AlejandraBotto @RobertoLealG @susanagasch @AlbertCastillon @_IreneVilla_ pic.twitter.com/7SI0QaLpZO
— Fernando Ramos (@Fernand0Ram0s) October 16, 2016
To a cacophony of barks, runners navigated dogs on leads, while some owners chose to carry their pampered pooches in their arms to complete the run.
Among those to join the event was James Costos, the U.S. Ambassador to Spain and his dog Greco.
Greco and I will run in the @PerrotonEspana to highlight the work of the U.S. Government against animal cruelty. https://t.co/2Pj0AYmnWs pic.twitter.com/BnIAEAOJ0a
— Ambassador Costos (@JamesCostos) October 14, 2016
The ambassador received an honorary award for his country's efforts against animal cruelty in recognition of the FBI adding animal cruelty to its list of Class A felonies, alongside homicide and arson.
Spain has made great strides in recent years to clamp down on animal cruelty with several landmark cases seeing abusive owners sent to jail for cruelty to their dogs.
Earlier this year, the Madrid regional parliament introduced a "no kill policy" at its animal shelters ending a practice that saw healthy strays sacrificed if they weren’t claimed or rehomed within ten days.
Since the summer Madrid has allowed dogs to travel on the metro.
By then end of the year, city authorities said that a pet adoption centre will be opened within the Retiro park.
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