The Consorci de la Ribera and the associations of municipalities of Ribera Alta, Ribera Baixa and La Safor officially opened the second Animal Shelter on Monday, located in the town of l’Alcúdia. The facility joins the one in Tavernes de la Valldigna, which has been serving more than 60 municipalities across the three regions since October 2025.
Following an investment of around €1.3 million, the facilities will be able to accommodate 126 dogs, 76 cats and one horse, with units adapted to the needs of each animal and communal exercise areas spread over a total area of 4,053.22 m². There is also a veterinary consultation room and spaces dedicated to training, meetings and visits, as well as an operating theatre. The centre’s opening strengthens the service for managing abandoned animals by increasing its capacity.
The aim of the project is to address the health and welfare needs of the collection and management of abandoned or stray animals in the participating municipalities, in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act. Staff at the centre rescue dogs and cats found on public roads and transfer them to the facilities in Tavernes de la Valldigna or, from now on, l’Alcúdia, where they receive the necessary care. The aim is for the shelter to provide temporary care and for the animals to be adopted.
The opening ceremony was attended by Toni Barea, president of the Consorci de la Ribera; Paqui Momparler, president of the Mancomunitat de la Ribera Alta; Rafael Gisbert, president of the Mancomunitat de la Ribera Baixa; Jordi Puig, president of the Mancomunitat de Municipis de la Safor; and Àngels Boix, deputy mayor of the Alcúdia Council, alongside other representatives from the municipalities participating in the service.
Toni Barea highlighted the public nature of the service and the shift in how animal management is understood: “We are talking about a project born out of the responsibility that public administrations have to protect animals, encourage adoption and promote coexistence based on respect and responsible ownership. But we are also talking about a project that goes beyond simply complying with the law: we are talking about values. This centre represents a change in perspective. It is no longer just about collecting and caring for animals, but about offering them a new chance. We are launching a new approach, a new way of understanding public service and a clear commitment to a fairer and more responsible society”.
During the first three months of 2026, the service’s rescue staff collected more than 200 lost or abandoned animals from public spaces. Over the course of the quarter, there were 75 adoptions (54 dogs and 21 cats), 19 temporary foster placements (8 dogs and 11 cats) and 38 animals returned to their families (35 dogs and 3 cats).
The 65 municipalities participating in the service are as follows:
- Ribera Alta: Alberic, Alcàntera de Xúquer, l’Alcúdia, Alfarb, Algemesí, Alginet, Alzira, Antella, Benifaió, Benimodo, Benimuslem, Càrcer, Carlet, Castelló, Catadau, Cotes, l’Énova, Gavarda, Guadassuar, Llombai, Massalavés, Montroi, la Pobla Llarga, Rafelguaraf, Real, Sant Joanet, Sellent, Senyera, Sumacàrcer, Tous and Turís.
- Ribera Baixa: Albalat de la Ribera, Benicull de Xúquer, Corbera, Cullera, Favara, Fortaleny, Llaurí, Polinyà de Xúquer and Riola.
- La Safor: Ador, Alfauir, Almiserà, Almoines, l’Alqueria de la Comtessa, Barx, Bellreguard, Beniarjó, Benifairó de la Valldigna, Beniflà, Benirredrà, Castellonet de la Conquesta, Daimús, Guardamar de la Safor, Llocnou de Sant Jeroni, Miramar, Palma de Gandia, Palmera, Piles, Potries, Rafelcofer, el Real de Gandia, Ròtova, Tavernes de la Valldigna and Vilallonga.
