Andorra's Dog Shelter Hits Historic Low with 13 Dogs Amid €800K Upgrades

Andorra's Canine Protection Centre at Borda Vidal continues to operate at historic lows, housing 13 dogs on site and seven more in foster families, as the government allocates over €800,000 this legislative term for upgrades to both canine and feline facilities.

Environment, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Guillem Casal recently visited the centre, where staff completed a €122,000 overhaul of the services building this year. The work created new adoption reception areas, spaces for preparing food and medications, cleaning zones, changing rooms, and a shared veterinary clinic with the feline centre, streamlining operations and animal care.

Casal credited the low occupancy in part to GosSOS awareness efforts, alongside government adoption drives and anti-abandonment initiatives that emphasize early interventions. GosSOS president Audrey Montiel previously highlighted how the on-site veterinary space avoids external transfers, reducing animal stress, while expanded recreation areas limit cage time as a core welfare improvement.

FEDA provided adjacent government land for an outdoor exercise zone near the upcoming Runer river transformer station, with €70,000 spent on initial leveling. FEDA director general Sílvia Calvó affirmed ongoing collaboration with GosSOS to develop the plot.

At the Feline Protection Centre, enhancements include enlarged play spaces, updated electrical systems, heating improvements, laundry facilities, and storage.

GosSOS has also shifted public behavior, boosting summer adoptions over purchases, and now provides free, donation-funded trainer support for adopters to reduce returns. Officials from both the government and GosSOS plan further facility improvements to support animal welfare and responsible ownership.