About HOVAR
A non-profit voluntary association helping abandoned, unwanted and mistreated animals in the Hondon Valley and surrounding areas — run entirely by volunteers.
Rescue, rehabilitate, rehome
We are a non-profit making voluntary association that aims to offer help and advice and seek foster or permanent homes for abandoned, unwanted and maltreated animals in and around the Aspe, La Romana and Hondon areas.
Our volunteers will help pick up animals reported where possible and take them to our vets for an initial check and health report. We will always check for a microchip — after this the animal will be checked for disease and health issues.
Wherever possible we seek to put the animals in temporary care with our fosterers until, through advertising, promotions and word of mouth, we find a permanent home for the animal. Where we cannot find a foster bed or permanent home we seek to take the animal to a responsible and humane shelter for re-homing.
A note on Spanish law
We are often asked why we cannot intervene in every case of suspected mistreatment. We want to be transparent about the limits of what we can do.
We are unable to pick up animals being maltreated or living in poor conditions when they are on private property. The law in Spain says that if the animal has access to food, water and shelter, no law is being broken. Where these things are not apparent, the Guardia Civil can be called.
You can also seek to denounce the owners of the animal — but we are not able to trespass in order to get the animal. One last option is to offer to buy the animal from the owner. Although a desperate measure, it is sometimes the only way to remove it from awful conditions.
Our committee
Ann Henley
President
Carole Sellers
Treasurer
Julie Vargas
Shop Manager
Dianne Thomson
Secretary
Jacquelyn Booker
Admin
Vacant
Fundraising Manager
Shop volunteers
Debbie Henley, Rita Hall, Sonya Munn, Zoe Calder, Tanya Gibson, Lynn Campbell, Debbie Johnston, Joanne Doonan, Lisa Jane Whitehead, Lesley Jones, Glenda Comery, Susan Hinton-Cowles, Jackie Macdonald, David, Liesbeth Mous, Bieke.
Deliveries
Adrian Whitehead, Gary Jones.
Fosters
Tina Lister, Stephen Howitt, Sara Koehnen, Edina Hakze.
Our values
Care
Every animal in our care receives full veterinary attention, love, and the time they need to recover and thrive.
Commitment
We don't give up. We work until every animal finds a safe, loving home — however long it takes.
Community
HOVAR is powered by the local community — volunteers, fosterers, donors, and everyone who believes animals matter.
Help us do more
HOVAR runs entirely on donations and volunteer time. Every euro goes directly to the animals in our care.