Tenerife Socialists Demand Emergency Meeting Over Shelter Crisis

Political tensions over animal welfare in Tenerife have grown. The Socialist party on the island's council (Cabildo) has officially called for an emergency meeting. This meeting aims to tackle the serious problems at the Ravelo animal shelter in El Sauzal, which is run by the ADEPAC group.

The Socialists made this request after Coalición Canaria (CC), Partido Popular (PP), and Vox voted against an earlier proposal. That proposal called for urgent funding and an emergency declaration to fix the shelter. The Ravelo shelter, home to over 300 animals, is struggling with severe money problems and major structural damage.

The Socialists stress that the Cabildo, as the body in charge of the shelter, must take responsibility. They demand immediate action, including financial help and clear legal support. While the ruling parties have promised the animals won't be left without care and have announced a tender process for new management, Socialist councillor Javier Parrilla warns that official procedures are too slow for the urgent daily needs of the shelter.

A key disagreement is about getting the shelter improvements done. The Socialists point out that a full renovation project was approved in 2022. They argue that because this project hasn't happened, the shelter lacks a vital medical area, and extra costs have piled up, threatening its existence. They also emphasize that ADEPAC has run the shelter for years under an older agreement, which they believe should still be considered.

The goal of the emergency meeting is clear: President Rosa Dávila must explain her government's plan, and firm decisions need to be made about immediate funding and finishing the delayed work. The Socialists insist that keeping the shelter running and stable is crucial for public health, safety, and, most importantly, for the island's ethical commitment to animal welfare. They note that new national laws strengthen the responsibilities of public bodies in this area.