Meet the people who are making the shelter Sonrisas a reality.
Saara is the founder of Sonrisa. She has been taking care of dogs and cats for many years.
Judy has been volunteering in animal welfare for 10 years, mainly for the Refugio de Gatos in Tarifa. As part of the Sonrisas project, she is working with Gabriela to design the cat sanctuary with the aim of offering all the animals there the best possible quality of life according to their needs. Species-appropriate care plays a central role in the new sanctuary, which is why the cats will have a large outdoor enclosure with trees and bushes in addition to a cozy indoor area, where they can romp around in the fresh air, climb or simply lie lazily in the sun.
Marion takes care of the financial affairs of our animal shelter with heart and mind. This includes keeping an eye on all costs: from building costs to vet and food costs to staff costs and ongoing maintenance. It is important to her that everything is comprehensible and transparent so that everyone can see how and for what the funds are used – and that every euro goes where it is needed most. Only with a solid financial basis can we realize our dream of a loving sanctuary for animals that need our help.
I am Rebeka, the shelter’s secretary, and I am part of a passionate team committed to animal welfare. Every day we work together to offer them protection, care and the opportunity to find a loving and respectful home.
For us, every life counts. We are dedicated to giving visibility to their stories, giving a voice to those who don’t have one, and we give all our effort and love to offer them a second chance full of hope.
For us, every life counts. We are dedicated to giving visibility to their stories, giving a voice to those who don’t have one, and we give all our effort and love to offer them a second chance full of hope.
Juliette is helping us with our online marketing and is keeping us organized. A lifelong animal lover, she has cared for everything from horses to cats, driven by a deep commitment to animal welfare. With one foot in Sweden and the other in Tarifa, Juliette’s passion for the Sonrisas animal shelter stems from both a desire to make a positive impact on the lives of animals and to give back to the vibrant community of Tarifa.
Claudia…
Patri, originally from Spain, has dedicated her life to caring for and supporting dogs. With a natural talent for communication, she plays a vital role in spreading the word about our shelter and advocating for the well-being of animals everywhere. Although her frequent travels prevent her from owning a dog at the moment, Patri channels her love for animals by working as a dog sitter whenever she can. Her ultimate dream? To create a world where every animal feels safe, loved, and valued. We’re proud to have Patri as part of our community, sharing her passion and helping make a difference one paw at a time.
Iris is a cat fancier and catsitter who has found adoptive homes for street cats in a few countries. She got involved in Refugio Sonrisas as a volunteer at the cat shelter Refugio Felino and fostered two kittens. For the website, she writes cat-centric articles. In her main time, she is a travel writer, catographer, and ambassador of the humans to the global catizenry. Iris is fluent in the pspsps and mrrrrrow dialects.
Jana is the creative force behind our marketing campaigns and event planning, always ensuring everything runs smoothly. A proud Czech with a deep love for dogs, Jana channels her passion for animals into everything she does. When she’s not organizing events or crafting effective marketing strategies, she’s volunteering her time to help animal welfare causes. Whether at home or on the go, Jana’s mission is to make a positive impact—both in the world of marketing and in the lives of the animals she loves.