More than 1,000 animals have received assistance in Alicante since 2024
Alicante, 26 July 2025. The Municipality of Alicante has increased funding for the Animal Relocation and Rehoming Service by 20%, to €343,439 under a new two-year contract. Over the past 18 months, the shelter has housed more than 1,100 animals in need of care and a new family.
📢 Responsible pet ownership is everyone's responsibility
The Mayor of Alicante, Luis Barcala , together with the Health and Animal Welfare Councillor , Cristina Cutanda , stressed the importance of being mindful of pets:
"If you decide to have an animal, you are obliged to ensure its well-being and to follow all the rules. It is not a toy, but a living being with rights."
He also reminded that abandoned animals may be subject to a fine of 10,000 to 50,000 euros , and in cases of death or serious injury, criminal liability is possible.
🐶 Current situation: fewer are adopted than are admitted
📊 Between January 2024 and June 2025, 1,115 animals were admitted to the shelter:
- 2024 : 713 animals (487 dogs, 111 cats, 115 others)
- 2025 (first half of the year) : 402 animals (221 dogs, 75 cats, 126 others)
Of these:
- 255 animals adopted
- 252 returned to owners
- The rest are in a shelter awaiting new families.
The average number of animals in the shelter in 2025 is 95 per month , which is higher than in 2024 (75 per month).
🐕 Animals Waiting for Homes: Sad Statistics
The mayor gave examples of dogs that have been in the shelter for more than two years :
- Corina - 810 days
- Granada - 805 days
- Halcon - 647 days
- Gabriela - 640 days
He urged anyone looking to get a pet to choose adoption over purchase.
🐱 Cat care: sterilization and care
Since 2016, the CES/CER method has been used in Alicante: trap, sterilize and return.
Each year, this program treats between 250 and 300 cats living in colonies.
Since 2015, the city has not taken away cats unless they are sick, in danger, or in violation of sanitary standards.
🕒 24/7 protection, 365 days a year
According to new laws (including Ley 7/2023 and Ley 2/2023 ), all municipalities are required to provide 24-hour animal protection . Alicante was one of the first cities to implement this requirement back in 2019.
⚕️ Veterinary care and sanitary safety
The Animal Welfare Council is responsible for:
- evacuation of homeless animals from the streets
- keeping them in safe conditions
- veterinary care and vaccinations
- prevention of diseases and protection of the population from risks associated with abandoned animals
Alicante is moving towards a humane and civilized approach to animal welfare. Increased budgets, a 24-hour shelter, individual veterinary care and sterilization programs are all aimed at reducing the number of abandoned pets. Residents are reminded that adoption is not only a good deed, but also an investment in the sustainable future of the city .