Tenerife Launches "Tierra Azul" to Centralize and Overhaul Animal Welfare
Tenerife is launching "Tierra Azul," a new 15,000-square-meter integrated management complex designed to centralize and professionalize animal welfare services across more than twenty municipalities.
Tenerife is set to overhaul its approach to animal welfare with the launch of "Tierra Azul," a new project officially designated as a priority for the island. Located on the Finca Presas del Campo, spanning the border of La Laguna and Tacoronte, the facility will serve as a regional hub to support the existing Tierra Blanca center in Fasnia, ultimately providing services to over twenty municipalities.
The initiative, led by Island Councilor Valentín González, aims to move away from fragmented, local efforts toward a more efficient, coordinated public system. By centralizing operations, the council hopes to professionalize veterinary care, streamline animal custody, manage feline colonies, and boost adoption rates.
Rather than a traditional shelter, Tierra Azul is designed as an integrated management complex. According to Alicia Leirachá, the Island Director of Strategic Projects, the 15,000-square-meter site will be able to house over 680 dogs and 400 cats. The layout includes 200 spaces for long-term residents and another 200 dedicated to medical isolation and trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs.
This project represents a significant step in institutionalizing the fight against animal abandonment. By prioritizing transparency and public education, the Tenerife Island Council intends to set a new standard for animal welfare in the Canary Islands, while maintaining a collaborative relationship with the volunteers and protection groups that remain vital to the cause.