Animali Amati is an association that has been founded by Margreet Drost and Monique Hoolt to protect Animals in the Marches. We like living in this region, but unfortunately there are very many animals in the country that have to suffer. We were not able to close our eyes and ignore this, we wanted to do something about it. Together with other volunteers we provide support to the animal shelter in Cagli and are trying to offer a better life to some of the chained dogs. We walk them, and in case it is necessary, we take them to the vet, feed them and give them water, of course always with the owners’ consent.  But we could still do much more for the animals in need of help in the Marches. Therefore we founded this association: Animali Amati. Learn more out about our objectives.

Board: Monique Hoolt and Margreet Drost

Secretary/Treasurer:  Douwe Sperling

 

We mainly take care of dogs as they are the ones that are neglected most often. Of course there are dogs that have a pleasant dog life, but unfortunately dogs often are treated like objects and abandoned by hunters once they no longer fulfil their original purpose or because they are old. If they are lucky, they are taken to the shelter. The truffle dogs are often not fed, because that way they yield better results when hunting for truffles. During the whole year they are kept in small cages up to when the truffle season starts. Many farmers in the country keep their dogs on a chain for their entire life. They use them as watch dogs and the dogs are supposed to watch over barns or rabbit sheds. These dogs are never walked and get very little to eat. The law forbids keeping dogs on chains, but unfortunately this law is neither observed nor enforced. The dog shelters are overcrowded, sometimes dogs live there for years and many of them will never leave them. We’ve met many good and beautiful dogs in the shelters and are surprised that they still show so much trust and affection in spite of the circumstances they live in. Every time we experience this, we are again touched.