Volunteers

Andy has been involved with APAC for numerous years. He comes several times a week to help clean the stables, and also organises educational events for children here, to ensure they learn all about us and our animals.

Andy fell victim to the trap of APAC volunteering… adoption! He found himself falling for a gorgeous golden retriever mix that had been brought to us all the way from Valencia. This beautiful girl is now living her best life with Andy, his wife, and their other three dogs.

Rick is originally from Bermuda and came to APAC after he moved to Spain with his wife Susan.

He cleans the stables (of course!) but his special skill is that with his magical touch, Rick fixes everything that needs his technical expertise. And here at APAC, that is plenty!

Susan and her husband Rick come every Tuesday and Wednesday morning to help out wherever needed, and to do whatever needs to be done. She works in the stables, feeding the horses and giving them some extra TLC; grooming them and making them look all gorgeous and shiny.

She also has a big fan base amongst the dogs and Panter the cat, as she always ensures giving them some extra cuddles (and breakfast!).

Ana is basically part of the inventory at APAC! She started several years ago, and helps out usually on a Saturday.

She is a real hands-on girl and team-player. Ana does not shy away from all the work that has to be done here, it doesn’t matter if it is cleaning the stables, feeding the horses, or tidying up the yard. She does what needs to be done to give our animals the best possible home.

Tanja wanted to volunteer at an animal shelter, when she moved to Spain in early 2022. Tanja, quite rightly, did not trust herself to volunteer at a cat and/or dog shelter (she would take home a new animal every day)! The likelihood of her walking home with a horse seemed somewhat reduced, not impossible, but reduced! Tanja adopted her dog Sebastian from APAC in 2022. So look how that careful planning worked out!

Tanja spends her Sundays mucking out and helping out. She works on other projects such as the revamp of this website too.

Ilona joined APAC in 2023. She was really impressed by what Lois does, and wanted to support wherever she could.

She usually helps at our ‘finca’ where the healthier horses can be found. She is a big (BIG!) advocate of the rescue centre and brings as many people to APAC as she possibly can.

Isabel joined APAC in 2013, because she loves horses! She was drawn to the cause and found the experience of APAC life very different to anything she had known before. Isabel was drawn to be part of this life-enriching community of animals and volunteers.

Isabel has since moved further away from APAC, but does still support us as much as she can.

Jessi is Lois’ middle daughter. She has a special love of animals. Owning several pets herself, she always keeps her eyes and ears open, ready to help any other animals in need.

Lucy is the youngest of Lois’ three daughters and together with the daughter of a family friend, Xana, they have pretty much grown up at APAC.

Xana, so inspired by her time working with horses, will be attending ‘La Gernecia Ecuestrian School’ in Asturias in northern Spain from September 2024.

John only lives for part of the year in Spain. And when he does, he is helping out at APAC several times a week.

John has become a very valuable member of the APAC family in absolutely no time at all! He is an absolute natural at all the tasks that need to be done around here. Whether it is clearing the stables, painting the walls, or repairing anything broken.

When he leaves, we all miss him greatly. John, hurry up and move to Spain permanently soon!

Evelyn is only 12 years old, but mature beyond her years, and a total pro when it comes to horses. She only recently joined our team, but is already mucking out our stables at warp speed. There is no horse related challenge that she can’t master.

Her dream is (obviously) to become a showjumper when she grows up. She is already participating in tournaments to be best prepared for this.

Lynn doesn’t even live in Spain and still managed to be sucked into the APAC family!

She came to us whilst visiting her friend Tanja (another of our volunteers) and has never really left since. A regular visitor to Spain, she always makes time to come and see us and spend time at APAC.

Even when she is in her home country in the UK, she is constantly supporting with her magical graphic design touch. She is the one responsible for you exploring this gorgeous website.

All five of the Naylor’s found their way to APAC through Andy, a dedicated member and volunteer. He spoke so passionately about the rescue’s mission, they knew they had to visit.

From the moment they arrived, they were welcomed by the kindest people — all united by one shared passion: a deep love for animals.

These visits soon became a meaningful part of their lives. The family now enjoys spending time with the horses and the APAC community, describing it as a place filled with compassion, generosity, and friendship. They take care of lots of work around the centre, such as painting and general repairs, whilst Aaliyah is our social media model!

Every rescue has its heroes — and at APAC, Gill and Pat are truly special. This wonderful mother and daughter duo live in the UK, but whenever they are in Spain, they make time to visit our finca and support the animals.

These ladies are our very own ‘Cheer Squad’, tirelessly spreading the word about APAC wherever they go. Friends, neighbours, and even strangers quickly hear about our horses, donkeys, mules, and dogs. If anyone asks what they enjoy doing, they get the full APAC story — delivered with passion, humour, and a clear call to help.

Their enthusiasm has brought in vital donations and new supporters. One contribution deserves special mention: Gill and Pat cover ALL the costs of our dog food. This incredible support ensures our dogs are always cared for.

They show that you don’t need to live nearby to make a real difference — it just takes heart, dedication, and a bit of cheerful persistence.

Originally from England, Susan has called Jávea home since 1972. A lifelong animal lover, she is passionate about animal welfare and dedicated to improving the lives of animals in need, particularly dogs, horses, and cats.

She enjoys finding creative ways to support APAC, whether by fundraising, recycling and repurposing materials into unique items for sale, or using her artistic talents to make a difference. An accomplished artist, she loves painting and drawing horses and generously donates her artwork to APAC to help raise funds for the animals in our care.

One of her favourite parts of volunteering is spending time at our headquarters, where she enjoys meeting fellow animal lovers and contributing to the welcoming community that makes APAC so special. She is also passionate about raising awareness of the importance of treating every animal with kindness, compassion, and respect.