Animal welfare groups and several political parties have accused the Centro de Protección Animal de Badajoz of failing to meet basic standards. Managed by Athisa Medio Ambiente under a municipal contract since 2024, the shelter has come under fire over conditions that reportedly endanger dogs and other animals, including a Vietnamese pig. The criticism follows a recent heatwave that pushed city temperatures to 43°C.
Complaints center on a lack of shaded areas and water bowls left in direct sunlight. Critics also cite poor water quality and insufficient cleaning in parts of the facility. Irene de Miguel, spokesperson for Unidas por Extremadura, called the situation unacceptable and said animal protection remains an unresolved issue in the region. She urged officials to redirect some of the more than two million euros earmarked for bullfighting in the regional budget, agreed by PP and Vox, towards improving shelters, cat colonies and animal reception centres.
Asociación ProAnimal has also criticized the shelter. Its lawyer, María José Germán, announced plans to file a formal complaint documenting alleged administrative irregularities observed during a recent visit. Germán said any evidence of criminal liability would be reported to the relevant authorities.
The PSOE of Badajoz has also questioned the shelter’s operations after an abandoned dog died in a residential area. The party said a local resident gave the animal water and alerted authorities, but received no response. The dog was found dead the next day.
PACMA has taken its concerns to Seprona, the Guardia Civil’s environmental unit. PACMA president Javier Luna described the shelter as precarious and unsanitary. He said the city council, as the service owner, must ensure the contract is fulfilled. Luna also noted that Athisa Medio Ambiente has faced controversy in other Spanish municipalities in recent years.
Responding to the criticism, María Dolores Vázquez, the city councillor responsible for animal protection, said improvements and an expansion of the facility are underway, funded by a dedicated budget line this year. She maintained that trees and awnings provide shaded areas for animals, and said images circulating online show only a limited part of the centre. Vázquez added that the animal welfare department and other city offices handle requests daily and are working with the contracted company to improve conditions.
The city’s planned expansion reflects the facility’s infrastructure needs. In October 2026, Badajoz City Council announced a project estimated at €194,300, citing an increase in abandoned animals and the need for more space. The works cover approximately 1,700 square metres across four enclosures, with a shared access area of about 45 square metres. Plans include remodeling and adding enclosures, installing new security fencing, and building shelters with feeding and watering points. Cadena SER’s Radio Extremadura reported that the project would “reform the enclosures, expand their number, install a new security fence for the animals, and build new shelters and feeding and watering points.”
A separate emergency intervention addressed the centre’s wastewater system. Hoy reported that, under a municipal contract, the city allocated €90,000 to purchase and install a compact wastewater treatment plant after the previous collector malfunctioned. The contract justification referred to an outbreak of several diseases affecting animals housed at the centre. The wastewater work and expansion project are separate interventions, aimed at sanitation and capacity pressures respectively.
The shelter’s contract with Athisa Medio Ambiente was initially valued at €207,364. After no other companies bid during the latest tender, it was extended with a €68,129 budget increase. The contract covers the collection of abandoned animals, veterinary care and removal of equine carcasses. Hoy reported that management remained temporary while a definitive award for subsequent years was pending. The city council confirmed that the service is operating under an extension while a new tender is prepared. Vázquez said a recent parvovirus outbreak has complicated operations: urgent cases are being prioritized, and some animals have been transferred to other facilities, including one in Portugal. The transfers have increased the administrative workload.
Athisa Medio Ambiente has denied the PSOE’s claim that animal collection services were suspended. Fabio Barbero, the company’s director of animal protection centres, told Cadena SER that only certain non-urgent admissions have been temporarily paused as a preventive measure, citing high occupancy and a seasonal rise in gastrointestinal illnesses. Barbero said animals posing a safety risk or requiring immediate intervention are still being collected. New arrivals are quarantined to prevent the spread of disease, and the company is working with the city to improve the shelter.
Allegations of poor hygiene and veterinary malpractice have also surfaced in a Change.org campaign launched by a former shelter employee. The campaign also cites a lack of clean water and insufficient disinfectants, adding to public pressure for reforms at the Badajoz facility.
Animal welfare has become a more prominent issue in Spain in recent years, with several regions updating regulations and increasing oversight of municipal shelters. The situation in Badajoz points to continuing challenges in maintaining consistent standards across the country. Elsewhere in Spain, local authorities have faced emergencies requiring rapid responses, including the evacuation of buildings in Barcelona following a major sinkhole. Effective municipal services matter for the safety of residents and animals alike.
