Neighbors and animal associations are demanding that the Paterna City Council follow the law and reinstate the volunteer program.
The Paterna Municipal Animal Shelter, managed by the city council through municipal company Gespa since 2019, has been under controversy following the suspension of the volunteer program last December 2021. Since then, complaints from neighbors and animal associations have not stopped. , and now former volunteers denounce that the city council is not following the law on the protection, welfare and ownership of companion animals.
Article 17 of the above law establishes that shelters must have volunteer programs and cooperate with animal protection associations. However, former volunteers of the shelter confirm that the opacity in the current service is total, and adoptions have decreased since the management moved from the animal protection company to the Gespa company.
Sandra, one of the shelter’s former volunteers, says: “We have formally requested the city council to reinstate the volunteer program, and we have also appealed to the ombudsman because of the city council’s continued refusal.” According to former volunteers, volunteering plays an important role in the welfare and socialization of animals, and is required by law.
In view of this situation, a call has been given to protest at the gate of Municipal Corporation shelter on Wednesday, 17th May. The purpose of the protest is to assert the importance of voluntary service and to demand its reinstatement by the city council. Protesters argue that animal welfare and law enforcement are at stake.
Complaints and mobilization of neighbors and animal associations reflect concern and discontent in Piterna due to the suspension of volunteering at the Municipal Animal Shelter. The lack of transparency and lack of adoption has created an atmosphere of tension and requires quick response from the municipal authorities.
The community stresses that the resumption of the volunteer program is necessary to guarantee the care and well-being of the animals living in the municipal shelter of Paterna.
