Row over Orihuela Animal Centre management

SEVERAL animal protection organisations in the Alicante Province are protesting against the awarding of the management contract of the Orihuela Centre for the Protection of Animals. It was awarded by the Health Department to a non-profit organization (NGO) supported by the Ministry of Culture, according to Councillor Antonio Ortiz.

Ortiz called the accusations from animal shelters in Alicante Province that the contract was awarded to a private company “a pack of lies”.

He clarified that the grant was done through a collaboration agreement with an NGO, whose president Raul Merida also holds the same position at the Alicante Animal Rescue.

Ortiz said that “several NGO’s had been interested in managing the centre” and “after careful consideration” Raul Merida was chosen.

The decision was made based on Merida’s “12-years experience” working in collaboration with the Guardia Civil’s nature protection division SEPRONA.

This combined with the Ministry of Culture’s backing gave “us reasonable assurance,” said Ortiz.

The health councillor has invited all protection organisations to an open day at the animal shelter to prove there is nothing untoward going on.

He pointed out that much of the hype that has been created surrounding the animal shelter is due to the impending elections on Sunday.

By Nicole Hallett