Capital's CPA receives fourth AENOR animal welfare seal in Spain

The Puerto del Rosario City Council announced in a press release that it considers this achievement a “historic milestone” for public service management and animal protection, following the recognition awarded to the municipality’s Animal Protection Center (CPA).

The certification is UNE 313001:2016, the most stringent animal‑welfare quality standard in Spain granted by the certification body AENOR. After passing the auditor’s evaluation, the CPA became the fourth center nationwide to obtain the seal.

Only three other facilities in Spain currently hold the certification—located in Asturias, Catalonia and the Gran Canaria Island Shelter—so, according to the council, “this recognition places Puerto del Rosario at the forefront of national ethics.”

The “Puerto del Rosario Model”

Puerto del Rosario is now the second public‑administration entity in the Canary Islands to reach the elite tier of animal welfare, guaranteeing hospital‑level sanitary protocols and care. What makes the accomplishment extraordinary, the official note adds, is the optimisation of public resources. While mainland centres with multi‑million‑euro budgets have lost the certification due to the difficulty of maintaining standards, Fuerteventura has reached the summit with an annual investment of €360,000.

Ethical Control of Feral Cat Colonies

The budget also funds the ethical management of feral cat colonies through the CER method (Capture, Sterilisation, Return).

“We have shown that with technical rigor and political will, Puerto del Rosario can lead the frontier in Spain. We are the example that public administration can be both efficient and humane at the same time,” said Mayor David de Vera.

Councilor for Animal Welfare Tacoremi Gutiérrez added that the seal is a promise to citizens:

“Adopting from our centre guarantees responsibility. As one of the very few ‘UNE’ centres in Spain, the community knows that their new companion receives the best possible veterinary and emotional care.”

Guarantees for Animals and Adopters

The UNE 313001 standard ensures that the Animal Protection Center provides:

• Sanitary Protocols: Strict quarantine and bio‑security measures that minimise infection risk.
• Emotional Welfare: Stress‑free socialisation and handling routines supervised by experts.
• Absolute Traceability: Each animal has a digital record of health and behaviour from entry to adoption.
• Industrial‑grade Hygiene: Cleaning and disinfection plans that meet the highest sanitary safety standards.

With this step, the capital city is ahead of the new Animal Welfare Law requirements and positions itself as a national benchmark for optimised resource management in animal protection, the City Council concluded.