As of November 2023, the Barcelona City Council gave the green light for construction to begin on a project that promises to make a difference: the Barcelona Companion Animal Shelter (CAACB).
In Barcelona, pets are members of the family and therefore, as the population of dogs and cats in the city continues to grow, the need to build this type of dedicated shelter was determined to be very urgent.
With more than 174,000 dogs on the census, almost one dog for every ten people, it is clear that pets have a special place in the hearts of the people of Barcelona.
Nearly half of the city’s families have at least one pet at home, underscoring the importance of initiatives aimed at ensuring their well-being.
In addition to the pet cemetery that already exists in the city, Barcelona is moving towards the creation of a new shelter for dogs and cats.
This project, promoted by the Ecology, Urban Planning, Mobility and Housing Commission of the Barcelona City Council, will occupy a strategic location in the municipality of Montcada i Reixac, in Vallès Occidental.
The center will be built on an area of 2.6 hectares, where 6,000 square meters will be used for buildings, while the rest will be landscaped open spaces and recreational areas for the animals.
Barcelona Companion Animal Shelter is born, the hope for vulnerable animals
The purpose of the CAACB is clear: to provide shelter and care for lost, abandoned and confiscated animals. In addition to its role as a shelter, the CAACB will be linked to schools and sensitive sectors of society, such as the elderly and people with disabilities, in order to promote responsibility towards animals.
The center will also offer a variety of services, from canine education workshops to veterinary services including sterilizations, vaccinations and the implantation of microchips.
Support for animal rescue work
The new Companion Animal Shelter not only represents an investment in animal welfare, but also a recognition of the hard work of animal rescue organizations and volunteers in the city.
It will provide essential space to house and care for animals that might otherwise be left homeless. It will also facilitate the adoption of animals, promoting a culture of responsible ownership.
This project is an example of metropolitan institutional collaboration. The CAACB is designed to improve the living conditions of the residents of nearby neighborhoods and to preserve protected natural areas.
It is to offer new hope to vulnerable animals, giving them a safe and loving place to start a new and better life.
