Posted: Thu May 5, 2022 4:06pm
Hi Jason and welcome to the forum.
I'm pleased to hear that you've already heard of Leishmaniasis - the combination of an annual vaccine plus a good multi-purpose collar, such as Seresto, will protect Betty.
Processionary caterpillars can turn up pretty much anywhere, although you may see the white, gauze-like nests in certain trees, such a pines, before they start to come down the tree and process, nose to tail. In the parks and gardens owned and run by the Town Halls, the trees are usually treated, but you'd need to be careful on undeveloped public land. They tend to be on the move during February and March, but a mild winter or a cold snap in early spring can vary this a couple of weeks either way. To be honest, I've lived here 6 years and only ever seen 2 nests; we tend to alert each other on here if we see a nest in our areas.
You don't say whether you're retiring to Spain, or planning to work, as that will have an impact on which visa you need. Of course, if you or your partner are Irish, or have the right to apply for an Irish passport by virtue of descent, that would make the process a whole lot easier and cheaper!
Although I don't live in your desired locations, I've visited them and like all three, although I think Hondon De Las Nieves and La Romana would have been too quiet for us. We seriously considered Pinoso, as it's a larger town with a good number of Brits living there. Our lawyer, Peñalver Abogados, is based there, but ultimately we opted for being closer to the coast. I'm sure you'll have plenty of questions as you work your way through, so don't hesitate to ask.
By the way, if you want to introduce Betty to the forum, you can post her picture here:
Photos of your pets
Kind regards,
Kim