A special connection between Marbella and Vietnam reaches the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris on November 5 as the 15th Global Gift Gala raises funds for children with special needs and orphans.

Local supporters in Marbella are backing this milestone gathering, guided by resident philanthropist Maria Bravo along with actress and activist Eva Longoria. The annual charity event brings together international supporters to benefit two core projects: Casa Angeles in Marbella and Casa Angeles Quang Chau in Vietnam. Proceeds from ticket sales and the live auction directly fund specialised care, therapeutic sessions, and daily essentials for families facing hardship.

Marbella roots connecting with international support

Casa Angeles operates as a daytime facility in Marbella providing tailored therapies, workshops, and recreational activities for local youngsters with special needs. Abroad, the foundation oversees the Casa Angeles Quang Chau orphanage in Vietnam, which has delivered accommodation, education, medical assistance, and protection for over 100 children since 2018.

Holding this very special edition in the French capital allows organisers to draw worldwide attention and funding to both causes. Honorary Chair Eva Longoria and Chair Maria Bravo welcome corporate partners including APM Monaco and the Four Seasons Hotel George V.

Live entertainment and humanitarian honours

Evening performances feature French singer-songwriter VITAA, Brazilian soprano Angelica de la Riva, French singer Oria, and flamenco group Reyes Heritage The Gipsies Legacy. Television presenter Sandy Heribert guides the proceedings.

Entrepreneur and social activist Henry R. Muñoz III receives the Global Gift Humanitarian Award for his work expanding access to healthcare, education, and equality. Additional features include a menu created by Le Cinq chef Christian Le Squer, floral installations by Jeff Leatham, and a live auction conducted by Julien Vincent Brunie of Christie’s.

To see more of the incredible work done by Casa Angeles or to get involved you can visit the website here.

Air traffic controllers shared a short video this week that quickly did the rounds. A brown dog spent hours running around the takeoff area at Malaga Costa del Sol Airport on October 30, darting between a aircraft and yellow ground vehicles at dusk. Staff eventually rounded it up, but the clip raised a familiar question on the Costa del Sol: just how many dogs are out there with no one keeping an eye on them? Those in charge of airport security have yet to comment how the stray got through ‘strict’ controls.

Dog on the apron, vehicles on the move

Spanish air traffic controllers posted the footage after it arrived via WhatsApp. They described the animal as interfering in the departure zone for several hours. No official reports have confirmed major delays or diversions from this particular incident, though wildlife on the airfield always forces caution. Similar past cases at Malaga, including an injured flamingo that triggered go-arounds, have briefly held operations while teams clear the area. Airport staff appear to have contained this one without wider disruption reaching the headlines. Controllers regularly flag these events on their official X account.

Recibido por WhatsApp.
Ayer en #Málaga un perrito estuvo varias horas interfiriendo en la zona de despegues 🐕✈️ https://t.co/bXBrddEZSO

— 😉Controladores Aéreos 🇪🇸 (@controladores) October 31, 2026

Almost half a million dogs in one province

Malaga province currently holds the highest number of registered companion animals in Andalucia, according to the Junta’s Registro Central de Animales de Compañía. Latest figures put the total at 575,634 pets, of which 446,933 are dogs. That sits just behind Seville’s dog count and ahead of every other province. Cats add another 124,920, giving Malaga the regional lead on felines as well. Roughly 17,186 of the dogs fall into the potentially dangerous category. Put against the province’s 312,526 residents under 18, the numbers work out at about 1.84 registered pets for every child or teenager.

Those registration totals , reported by Europa Press , are based on the regional register. They capture microchipped animals under Andalucian rules, which help return lost pets and track ownership. They do not include every stray or unregistered animal still moving around the province.

Shelters still dealing with the fallout

Main private shelters have seen abandonments drop over the past decade, yet the animals that arrive often turn up in worse condition. Hunting dogs are still a serious seasonal pressure until after the season ends, and summer holidays still produce spikes. One recent case saw police recover 61 dogs and cats from a single property in Velez-Malaga, some kept in darkness inside kitchen cupboards. Council centres and local protectoras continue to handle high volumes of surrenders, litters and runaways while pushing responsible adoption. Groups such as DOMINO and ACE-SHIN in Mijas regularly list dogs ready for homes.

For expats in the area who might be a little unaccustomed to the local fauna, the practical message is straightforward. Microchip and register dogs under the rules, keep them under control near airports, roads and tourist areas, and check local shelters before buying. Costa del Sol rescue groups regularly list dogs ready for homes, and community fundraisers continue to support the work. A single dog on the runway makes for an eye-catching clip, but it sits against a much larger population of animals across Malaga province.

Fashion show and lunch at Casa Tua for Victoria Hart
Credit: Anne O’Halloran Ryan/FB