Fundación Altarriba

Animal protection and rescue

Fundación Altarriba is a nonprofit founded in 1998 that works in animal protection and nature conservation, primarily in Catalonia. Its work combines legal action—filing animal-cruelty complaints, joining cases as a civil prosecutor, and providing legal advice—with direct management of emergency shelter and court-ordered animal seizures.

Shelters and capacity

The foundation operates Bú Bup Parc, its own refuge in La Bisbal d'Empordà, Girona, which houses more than 90 abandoned or mistreated animals. Its website also lists a shelter in Cervelló. Both are open year-round, and the foundation owns the properties, allowing it to provide stable shelter without relying on outside facilities. The organization says it is expanding to accommodate more animals, especially those connected to domestic-violence cases and people experiencing homelessness.

Legal advocacy and legislative work

• Filing animal-cruelty and abandonment complaints in collaboration with law-enforcement agencies
• Providing legal support in court as a civil prosecutor or advisor and taking part in urgent interventions and animal seizures
• Working with veterinarians and shelters to protect animals removed by court order
• Participating in working groups and public consultations on animal welfare, supporting popular legislative initiatives, and working with the Government of Catalonia on environmental and animal-protection rules

The foundation highlights several achievements: helping end the killing of abandoned animals after 20 days through a zero-euthanasia policy at Catalan shelters in 2000; collecting more than 500,000 signatures in 2002 to make animal cruelty a crime; supporting the resulting Penal Code reform; and helping develop Catalonia's Animal Protection Law. It also cites the highest animal-cruelty penalty in Spain after more than 50 dead dogs were found in Montcada i Reixac.

Education and social programs

Through Proyecto Pepa (Educa Protege Animales y Medio Ambiente), the foundation works with children and young people on respect for animals, environmental conservation, and recycling. Other listed projects include Escola de la Natura, Connectades, #SenseSostre, and Comparavet.

Governance and transparency

The board of trustees governs and oversees the foundation. Its website says board members serve as unpaid volunteers. Director General Yolanda Valbuena Castillo, an attorney specializing in animal law, has led the foundation since 2019. Carles Soliva Hernández is listed as legal advisor. The foundation keeps the identities of other board members confidential. Its honorary committee includes Jane Goodall, Rosa Montero, José Saramago, Antonio Gala, Josep Carreras, Eduard Punset, Carles Puyol, and AnimaNaturalis. The foundation says it follows good-governance standards and directs its resources to animal protection.

Ways to help

Ways to get involved include adopting an animal, sponsoring an animal, volunteering, corporate volunteering, joining as a “teamer,” leaving a charitable bequest, or becoming a member with contributions starting at €1 per month. The foundation also accepts donations and offers guidance to people who witness animal cruelty or abandonment.

Contact

Phones: 93 412 00 73 and 603 047 621 (also available on WhatsApp). Email: altarriba@altarriba.org. Legal matters: legal@altarriba.org. Website: altarriba.org.