Puerto del Rosario Leads the Way in Animal Protection

With a budget of €360,000, “the Majorero center is the most efficient in Spain, also integrating ethical control of feline colonies on the island.”

The Puerto del Rosario City Council has reached a historic milestone in public‑service management and animal protection. The Animal Protection Center (CPA) has been awarded the UNE 313001:2016 certification – Spain’s most rigorous quality standard – after passing an exhaustive audit by AENOR.

This recognition places Puerto del Rosario at the forefront of ethical standards nationwide. Only three centers across Spain (in Asturias, Catalonia and the Gran Canaria Island Shelter) currently maintain this seal of quality. Puerto del Rosario thus becomes the second public‑management facility in the Canary Islands to join the “elite” of animal welfare, guaranteeing hospital‑level health and care protocols.

The “Puerto del Rosario Model”: Unprecedented Efficiency

What makes this achievement extraordinary is the optimisation of public resources. While other mainland centres with multi‑million‑euro budgets have lost certification because of the difficulty in maintaining standards, Fuerteventura has reached the summit with an annual investment of €360,000.

That budget not only covers the centre’s operational excellence but also integrates ethical control of feline colonies through the CER method (Capture, Sterilisation, Return).

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

Total Guarantee for Animals and Adopters

The UNE 313001 standard is more than a title; it is a life‑guarantee audited annually, covering:

• Health Protocols: Strict quarantines and bio‑security measures that minimise contagion risk.
• Emotional Welfare: Stress‑free socialisation and handling routines supervised by experts.
• Absolute Traceability: Every animal receives a digital record of its health and behaviour from entry to adoption.
• Industrial Hygiene: Cleaning and disinfection plans that meet the highest sanitary safety standards.

Councillor for Animal Welfare Tacoremi Gutiérrez highlighted that the seal is a promise to citizens:

“Adopting from our centre guarantees responsibility. Being one of the very few ‘UNE’ centres in Spain, residents know their new companion has received the best possible veterinary and emotional care.”

With this step, the City Council not only anticipates the requirements of the new Animal Welfare Law but also positions itself as the national benchmark for optimised resource management dedicated to animal protection.