Tenerife Animal Shelter Faces Crisis as Adepac Announces Protest Over Funding Deadlock
The Association for the Defense and Protection of Animals in the Canary Islands (Adepac) has announced a protest on March 22 to demand urgent funding and facility repairs from the Tenerife Island Council, citing a crisis that threatens the welfare of 300 dogs.
The management of animal shelters in Tenerife has reached a breaking point. The Association for the Defense and Protection of Animals in the Canary Islands (Adepac) has announced it will resume public protests following a breakdown in talks with the Tenerife Island Council over funding and essential repairs for its shelter in Ravelo, El Sauzal.
The dispute, which threatens the welfare of roughly 300 dogs, stems from broken budget promises and repeated delays in facility upgrades. Adepac warns that this administrative deadlock is crippling daily operations, making it difficult to provide food and basic veterinary care. Furthermore, the shelter’s condition is worsening; a lack of climate control and poor sanitation are exposing the animals to serious health risks, including respiratory issues and heartworm.
To demand action, the association has organized a protest outside the Island Council headquarters on March 22 at 12:00 p.m. The goal is to pressure the governing coalition (CC-PP) to honor their signed agreements and fulfill their legal and ethical obligations.
This situation highlights a growing tension between local authorities and animal welfare groups regarding the implementation of the Animal Welfare Law. When public funding is delayed, the burden of care falls unfairly on civil society, leaving shelters struggling to survive. Adepac’s protest is a final attempt to ensure that animal welfare is prioritized over bureaucracy, as the shelter faces a potential shutdown without an immediate solution.