Nestled in the heart of the Spanish countryside, our journey began with one act of compassion — and quickly grew into a lifelong mission of love.

Colleen Jay and her husband Peter moved to Spain in 2000 from Ireland, with dreams of a peaceful early retirement and their two beloved Irish Wolfhounds in tow. They settled in Benferri, a small town in the Vega Baja region, hoping to enjoy the slower pace of life. But fate had other plans.

While Peter was briefly back in Ireland finishing a job, Colleen came across a dog abandoned in the doorway of a local shop. She brought the dog home, unable to turn her back on him — and by the time Peter returned, their lives had changed. They both agreed that something had to be done about the heartbreaking number of stray and unwanted dogs in the area.

Peter built the first few kennels by hand — and then a few more. Before long, the kennels were full. Now, they care for over 100 dogs at any one time, each with their own personality, needs, and story.

Colleen shoulders the majority of the day-to-day care – feeding, cleaning, vet visits, administering medications, and above all, giving each dog the love and attention they deserve. A small but deeply committed group of volunteers assist in the mornings throughout the week with cleaning and walking, but with fewer hands available — especially after COVID and Brexit — the workload has become enormous.

Despite the challenges, the love poured into every single dog is boundless. Colleen has even opened up rooms in their home for dogs who need extra care or who aren’t ready for the kennels yet. No dog is ever turned away if there’s a way to help.

Our vision is simple: we want this to be a temporary stop for every dog — a stepping stone to a safe, happy, forever home. Whether they’re with us for days, months, or years, each dog is treated like family.

If you’re looking to adopt, foster, volunteer, or support in any way, you’ll be joining something truly special — a rescue built on kindness, resilience, and a whole lot of heart.