A dog abandoned in a remote cove on the Almeria coast is searching for a new home after being rescued by a tourist boat.
The small dog, since named Bergantin, was discovered two weeks ago in an isolated area close to Las Negras, within the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park.
He was malnourished, weak and trapped in an area extremely difficult to reach from land, with seawater already covering part of his body when he was spotted.
His rescuers believe somebody deliberately abandoned him there, potentially by throwing or leaving him down the mountainside.
The crew of a tourist vessel operated by Ojos del Cabo noticed the dog while sailing past the area and went to investigate.
With help from a local woman named Rocio, they managed to rescue him and bring him back to safety.
His unusual name was inspired by the circumstances of the rescue.
Bergantin is both the name associated with the cove where he was found and the Spanish word for a type of sailing ship.
Rocio initially took responsibility for feeding and caring for the dog and brought him to a vet to check for a microchip and assess his condition.
He was later transferred to the SOS Perros de Adra animal shelter, where he has continued his recovery.
Bergantín’s story has spread widely on social media, with animal welfare organisations outside Andalucia also helping to publicise his search for a home.
But SOS Perros de Adra says it is already full and operating with very limited resources.
The shelter relies on just 12 volunteers and must cover costs including rent, electricity, water and food for the animals in its care.
It is appealing for volunteers, dog food and financial contributions, as well as searching for a larger premises in Adra that could be provided or rented on favourable terms.
Anyone interested specifically in adopting Bergantin can contact the shelter at sosperrosdeadra@hotmail.com or via its social media account @sosperrosdeadra.
Under Spain’s Animal Welfare Law 7/2023, abandoning one or more animals is classed as a serious offence.
Such offences can carry fines ranging from €10,001 to €50,000.
Depending on the circumstances, criminal liability can also arise when a vertebrate animal is abandoned in conditions capable of endangering its life or physical integrity.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
