Any true pet lover who has come to live in Spain from overseas has undoubtedly brought their furry friends along with them, for animals are an important part of the family. The good news is that Marbella is home to fantastic veterinarians, pet trainers and groomers.

VETS

The veterinary clinics can help you with micro-chipping (which is obligatory), health certificates, vaccinations, pet passports, etc. One revered institution is Pointer Veterinary Clinic, Marbella, headed by highly experienced Dutch Veterinarian, Dr. André Evers, who is fluent in English and Spanish. At Pointer, expect to receive friendly, personalised service that will keep your pets healthy and happy for many years to come. The staff will also inform you of health risks that are particular to our area, which include diseases such as giardiasis, coccidiosis, and leishmaniasis. Another good veterinary clinic, famed for its nouvelle treaments, is Dogo Azul in Calahonda. In the Estepona area, we recommend renowned Dutch Veterinarian, Dr. Nazli Kreft, whose Pointer Veterinary Clinic & Surgery is located at the Escuela de Arte Ecueste.

[pullquote]…expect to receive friendly, personalised service that will keep your pets healthy and happy for many years to come.[/pullquote]

DOGGY FASHION AND TREATS

Marbella is home not only to chic fashion boutiques such as Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo or Loewe; it is also the perfect backdrop to strut your stuff while you walk along the boardwalk with your dog. If you like dressing your pet in chic fashions, you’ll delight in the plethora of pet clothing and accessories shops such as Mascotas de Elite in the city centre, Pet Shop in Elviria or Pequepet in Puerto Banús. You will find everything you can to make your pet feel more pampered than Paris Hilton’s chihuahua, from perfumes right through to rhinestone studded collars, toys, scarves and clothing. And let’s not forget the famous Kong toys, which keep dogs and cats entertained for hours.

ABANDONED ANIMALS

Marbella may be a paradise for lovers of the high life and the sea, but sadly, it is a whole other story for many abandoned and mistreated dogs and cats. Puppy mill type breeders are rife in Spain, where the main consideration is profit rather than what it should be: improving breed standards. Animal charities such as Triple A and PAD are overburdened with an ever-growing population of abandoned animals, while organisations like Animal Angels attempt to educate people on the need for preventative measures such as neutering. Throughout the year, there are many charity lunches and gala events aimed at raising money for the medication and food these animals need to subsist, so if you’d like to lend a helping hand, contact these charities and discover how you can help.

WORDS BY Marisa Cutillas