All creatures great and small

Lanzarote may be a small island, but there are still parts of it that almost nobody ever sees. One of those places is the desert area behind the Tinaguache volcano just north of Costa Teguise.

This remote place is where hundreds of animals have been given a second chance at the Casa de las Estrellas, an old farmhouse that has been converted into an animal sanctuary.

Liala Miliardi set up the “House of the Stars” after losing her job during the pandemic, and it has rapidly become a symbol of hope and salvation for Lanzarote’s animal lovers.

How many animals are at the Casa? “Oh, I’ve lost count,” smiles Liala. “I think it’s around 150.” She takes in almost every type of animal: cats, dogs, goats, sheep, donkeys, ducks, chickens, geese, turtles guinea pigs, rabbits – “any animal that doesn’t have another option.”

The most recent star is Canelito, a tiny cinnamoncoloured goat who was rejected by his mother and suffered a serious illness that rendered him almost paralysed. Over recent weeks, Canelito has slowly regained the use of his legs with the help of daily massages, and the little kid now teeters around, still frail, but with the irrepressible spirit that young goats have.

On the day we meet Liala, Canelito is dozing under a chair while a tiny chick called Franche pecks around on the counter, winning the hearts of everyone who comes in. It’s a vivid example of Liala’s care for all creatures great and small.

It’s impossible to care for all these guests alone, and the Casa de las Estrellas operates as a hostel, with volunteers regularly arriving from all over the world to spend time working five hours a day, five days a week.

Liala says that the Casa doesn’t receive any financial aid from the Ayuntamiento or any other local authorities – “There’s a lot of talk but no action,” she says. Instead, funding comes from donations, the charity shop and market stall, and fund-raising activities such as bingo events and charity nights. Those donations and events are the main way that people can offer to help, says Liala, but points out that any volunteering would be hugely welcome.

As for future plans, Liala says that a new van is one of the main priorities for the sanctuary, but her hectic lifestyle doesn’t allow her to make too many big plans. “I keep this up, give better lives to the animals and just let life surprise me,” she smiles.

The Casa de las Estrellas operates a weekly stall at the Sunday car-boot sale at Lanzarote A Caballo and a charity shop in Arrecife that is open Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-4. There are also several charity events from supporters of the charity, such as this month’s 60s Night at the Eliro Cafe Bar in Puerto del Carmen at 7.30 on the 24th of July

If you would like to make a donation you can do so at: www.casa-de-las-estrellas.org/donations