The attendees expressed their rejection of this new management model, arguing that the commercialization of animal protection is incompatible with the welfare of the species. The protest, promoted by the Animalist Coordinator of the Valencian Community, focused on the need to prioritize ethical management over economic costs in public tenders.
On June 12, the management of the collection, shelter, and adoption service for abandoned animals changed hands. After more than twenty-five years under the responsibility of animal protection entities, the service was taken over by a joint venture of three companies dedicated, among other activities, to pest extermination.
During the demonstration, protesters wore red shirts and displayed slogans such as 'they are not pests, they are urban fauna' or 'an animal's life has no price'. The organizers demanded that administrations commit to creating joint shelters with ethical management and conduct regular inspections to ensure animal welfare standards are met.
