about ASAP
ASAP - Alhama Street Animal Protection
non-profit organisation for animal rescue
Since February 2014, ASAP has been saving street animals. Despite being a small organisation, we have rescued and rehomed close to 800 dogs and cats. We are a non-profit organisation for animal rescue, registered and located in Alhama de Granada, Andalusia, in Southern Spain.
Our operating area, Comarca de Alhama de Granada, is very rural which brings challenges around animal welfare. Many dogs are abandoned or killed after hunting season, others are neglected in dreadful conditions and, since sterilisations aren’t mandatory for non-companion dogs, many litters of puppies are abandoned. Whilst things are improving slowly, there is still a lot of work to be done.
Due to constrains in resources, our focus has always been on dogs. However, we are looking for ways to improve the lives of cats, too, and hope to work in the future with local governments in managing cat colonies.
We aim to place all rescued animals in home foster care. We believe this will give them the best chance to rehabilitate and consequently to find a forever home of their own.
Recently we have had to resort to using kennels more frequently since we don’t have enough fosterers available. See how you can help by clicking here.
our philosophy
Adopt – don’t shop!
Animal welfare begins before a future animal is born – that is why ASAP is committed to the sterilisation and castration of street animals.
Each animal matters!
Saving one dog or cat from neglect & finding a loving home is worth celebrating!
Meet our Committee Members
Tiina Laukkonen – Chair
My husband and I moved to Spain at the end of 2022, and, like many people, we thought we would adopt a dog. In the end, we adopted two dogs from ASAP — and that’s how I first discovered the wonderful work this organisation does.
In spring 2025, we rescued a lovely Podenco girl. After becoming what is affectionately known as a “failed foster”, she became our fourth dog — and I found myself becoming increasingly involved with ASAP and its mission.
For more than 25 years, I worked in corporate finance, travelling and living in different countries. In April 2026, I was honoured to be elected Chair of ASAP. Today, I feel closer to my life’s purpose than ever before.
Our team of volunteers is truly amazing — dedicated, tireless and passionate. Every dog and cat we rescue, rehabilitate and rehome is a reason to celebrate, and every one of them deserves the chance of a happy, safe and loving life.
We warmly welcome anyone who would like to join us in this good fight!
Michaela Hallet – Secretary
My partner and I visited Alhama in 2018 and fell in love with the people and village life, so we returned for good the following year. We have two small rental apartments in our house, provide outside catering and run yoga classes in the village.
Although we do not have a dog of our own due to our ancient and grumpy cat, we have fostered many dogs for short periods on their journey to a forever home - including Dinky who was adopted by ASAP President Tiina and who now is living his best life! Even though our home feels a little empty when each foster leaves, it is lovely to know that the animals we rescue are going to loving and safe homes and that the huge amount of work our small team puts in to coordinate this happy outcome is worth it.
Flavia Spreafico – Treasurer
Originally from Brazil, I lived in Switzerland before moving to Spain with my husband, where we now run an astronomical observatory in the countryside near Alhama de Granada.
Peta was the first dog we rescued here. Between Peta and Cutuca, who eventually became part of our family, we rescued another ten dogs. With ASAP’s invaluable help, we were able to find safe and loving homes for every one of them. That experience brought me closer to the organisation and gave me a very real understanding of how much dedication, teamwork and perseverance each rescue requires.
With a professional background in science, healthcare and management, I joined the ASAP Committee and now serve as Treasurer. My role may involve a great deal of spreadsheets, invoices and figures, but behind every number there is an animal receiving food, shelter, veterinary care and the opportunity for a better life. I feel very fortunate to be part of such a compassionate and committed team. Every animal we help reminds us why this work matters — and why, despite all the challenges, we keep going.
Irene Cruikshanks – Committee Member
I’m Irene, originally from Scotland but moved to Spain in the 1980s where I began my career as a language teacher and went on to work in training English language teachers; now I’m mostly retired. When dogs were not part of my life I loved to travel in Asia, and parts of Central & South America, but now I tend to stay more local, or use pet-sitters when I need a more ‘exotic’ travel fix.
I joined ASAP in 2020 during lockdown, when we needed special permissions to drive dogs to the vet in Granada. I ended up adopting the 3rd dog I fostered but continued fostering several large and small dogs until my original pup became territorial and decided he’d had enough, so now I just have him and 1 long-term foster dog.
Being part of ASAP has put me in touch with a number of great people over the years, and I’d really recommend fostering to anyone who may not want the commitment of having their own dog but wants to help animals in need. Just be careful not to fall in love with the first dog you take in!
Annick Smeets - Committee Member
I was one of the founding members of ASAP in 2014 and later held the position of presidency for a period.
I have fostered many dogs, probably over 300, and at one point I had 21 dogs in our house! Whilst it can be a tough job, fostering dogs means a world to me and provides a lot of joyous moments. Especially when the doggies find loving families and start enjoying their lives again!
Alan Phillips - Committee Member
Originally from London, we moved to Cambridgeshire in our early 30’s and still have a small holding there being looked after by our daughter.
My wife and I retired to Spain in 2021 after a long career in aviation and international service and sales management. Now we spend a lot of time supporting ASAP. We enjoy working with all the fantastic volunteers who give up so much of their time to help abandoned and mistreated animals.
Our Volunteers
We have a small group of dedicated volunteers that tirelessly work for our cause. As a non-profit organisation, we rely solely on donations and volunteers’ time to keep our operations going. We place our rescued animals in home foster care, but we desperately need more short-term and long-term fosterers. The feeling when you see a scared, skinny dog transforming to a happy, healthy one, living in a family of its own is priceless!
Whilst you may not be able to adopt or foster a dog, you can still get involved in our work. There are different ways to raise awareness or to do fundraising. We also understand the importance of social media in gaining visibility to our cause and dogs in foster care – perhaps you can help us with that?
We are grateful for our local Alhama de Granada vet, Calixto Moyano who provides the foundational care for all our rescues; for Tatiana Cavero at Clínica Veterinaria Campus in Granada; and we are indebted to so many more who support us locally and abroad.
Please join us in our cause to change the world…one dog or cat at the time
