Barcelona’s main animal shelter is housing significantly more dogs than it did five years ago, with numbers climbing by over 42 percent. However, the story behind these figures is more complex than a simple rise in abandonment. Instead, deeper societal issues are forcing owners to give up their pets.
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Understanding the Rise in Dog Population
In 2025, the Centro de Acogida de Animales de Compañía de Barcelona (CAACB) housed 225 dogs. This marks a 42.4% increase from the 158 dogs in 2022. Data from the Barcelona City Council, obtained by 20minutos, confirmed these figures. Despite the sharp rise in the residential dog population, the shelter’s director, Anna Ortonoves, explains the picture is nuanced. She notes that over the past decade, “the rate of abandoned dogs has actually dropped.”
In fact, the total number of animals, including cats, attended by the centre decreased by 12% in the last year, from 1,312 in 2024 to 1,152 in 2025. Last year’s data shows that in March, only one of 56 admitted dogs was due to abandonment, while in September, the figure was six out of 56. This suggests the shelter’s rising population is not driven by owners carelessly leaving pets on the street.
Confiscation and Crisis
Intervention from authorities is now the primary reason dogs enter the CAACB. The Guàrdia Urbana confiscates many animals in cases of mistreatment or illegal trafficking. Social services also provide a significant source of referrals, stepping in when owners face personal crises that prevent them from caring for their animals.
These situations often involve elderly individuals moving into residential care homes that do not permit pets, people being imprisoned, or families facing eviction from their homes. The latter reflects the city’s ongoing housing challenges; initiatives to create more protected housing stock aim to provide stability for vulnerable residents. When a family is evicted, pets are sometimes left behind, unable to receive necessary care.
“Here we see the best and worst of the human condition,” Ortonoves said. She described many animals arriving from confiscations as “lamentable,” often “sick, injured, neglected,” or showing clear signs of abuse. However, she also praised the public’s compassion, noting, “There are people willing to take in animals regardless of the condition they arrived in, to give them a second chance.”
The Long Road to a New Home
The centre’s vets and carers work tirelessly to heal both physical and psychological wounds. The facility boasts an operating theatre with two tables, where veterinarians perform around 1,500 surgeries each year. They treat a range of conditions, including canine leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease transmitted by sandflies that can affect a dog’s skin and internal organs.
“They perform miracles,” Ortonoves says of her team. She stresses their ultimate goal: “for the largest possible number of dogs and cats to leave.” In 2025, the shelter saw 257 dogs and 437 cats adopted or placed in foster homes.
However, the wait for a forever home can be long, often averaging between two and three years. Prospects frequently depend on breed and size. Puppies and small dogs find homes relatively quickly, but those categorised as potentially dangerous breeds (PPP) or large dogs face a much tougher challenge.
Arnold, a pitbull with a complicated tumour, is one such case. Abandoned two years ago, he remains one of the centre’s longest residents. Another is Chiguaka, a large mastiff who arrived “in very poor condition.” His significant size makes finding a suitable family difficult.
A Community of Care
Ortonoves explains that most animals arrive with “a backpack to unpack,” their pasts often a mystery. “When they arrive, their behaviour is inhibited. They come with a lot of fear or don’t openly show their character,” she notes. This requires a careful, patient approach from the staff, who use socialisation and walking routines to understand each animal’s personality.
The centre operates with seven municipal employees, 35 dedicated carers, and a loyal base of 150 volunteers. Miguel Fernández, a team leader at CAACB for 15 years, described the daily routine: “We feed the animals, change blankets, clean their spaces, take the dogs for walks, and bring them to the patios to socialise.”
Volunteers like José Ensenyat play a crucial role. For over a decade, he has come once a week to walk dogs in the expansive Serra de Collserola natural park, which borders the city. He first visited to inquire about a friend’s dog and realised the “bond you could establish with the animals,” prompting him to sign up.
This community effort is vital as the CAACB grapples with an increasing number of complex cases, ensuring that every animal, no matter its past, has a chance for a better future.
