ARPA Founder Jaume Vilamajó Resigns as Andorran Dog Rescue President

Jaume Vilamajó, founder of the Associació de Rescatistes i Protectors d’Animals (ARPA), has resigned as president of the Andorran dog rescue organization, handing leadership to vice president Laura López in an early board renewal.

The move, effective this week and coinciding with ARPA's fourth anniversary, stems from personal factors including heavy workloads, the volunteer demands of rescues, and Vilamajó's age of 58 alongside his eight-year-old dog Thor. Originally informal efforts using messaging groups, the group formalized four years ago after meetings with López and others to register with the government. An October board renewal was planned, but personal circumstances accelerated the change.

Vilamajó, who began rescues 13 years ago, estimated his involvement in around 700 operations across Andorra, Alt Urgell, and Cerdanya, with Thor joining for 300 to 400 of them. "The mountains are demanding, and operations can drag on for unknown hours," he told *Altaveu*, adding that both he and Thor are easing back due to age and fitness. He dismissed any internal conflicts, stressing the decision was his alone.

Though stepping off the board, Vilamajó will stay engaged as a volunteer, monitoring the internal coordination chat and joining rescues as needed. López has taken over as interim president, a role sources expect to last at least until the October assembly, which may feature elections for a permanent leader.