Orihuela, Spain – The Orihuela City Council has officially awarded the management contract for the municipality’s Animal Protection Center (CPA) to the nonprofit organization Asoka. The contract, valued at €778,392.50, will cover a three-year period with the possibility of extension for up to five years.
This agreement includes a wide range of responsibilities: the collection, care, and management of lost, abandoned, or confiscated animals within Orihuela’s jurisdiction. In addition, Asoka will oversee the management of feral cat colonies, promote responsible pet ownership, and ensure cleaning and maintenance services at the CPA facilities located in Lo Arques, San Bartolomé.
City Councilor for Health, Irene Celdrán, emphasized the significance of the contract, stating, “This agreement ensures a high-quality service that prioritizes animal welfare, with particular attention to the protection and care of vulnerable and abandoned animals in our municipality.” She added that the center is equipped to care for around 800 animals annually and has both the staff and resources needed to operate at optimal standards.
According to Celdrán, the contract encompasses all vital functions for the comprehensive operation of the center, including veterinary care, animal socialization, dog training, adoption procedures, and strict sanitary and hygiene protocols—all coordinated under a professionally supervised health program.
The Orihuela CPA is officially registered as a Zoological Center under number A-0361 in the Valencian Community’s Registry of Zoological Centers. It is authorized to house a variety of species, including dogs, cats, horses, birds, and small ruminants. The facility has a capacity for 192 dogs, 74 cats, and up to 10 large livestock animals.
Key features of the center include species-specific enclosures, quarantine areas, a maternity ward, a surgical unit, cold storage for deceased animals, warehouses, a sealed waste silo, and a parking area.
Celdrán also highlighted the importance of centralized management: “Coordinating all the activities within the center is crucial to maintaining the physical and emotional well-being of the animals. That’s why it’s essential to have a single, specialized operator managing the entire service.”
The new contract will come into effect following the signing of the commencement act at the CPA facilities and is expected to reinforce Orihuela’s commitment to comprehensive animal protection policies.
