The Ibiza cat sanctuary
The Foundation's first major project: a rescue, treatment and adoption centre designed from scratch around animal welfare and open to the public.
One centre, two functions
The sanctuary brings together two areas that are usually kept apart. On one side, a clinical and care zone accessible only to staff: intake, diagnosis, quarantine, medical treatment, adaptation and socialisation. On the other, a public zone that lets people see the shelter's work without interfering with it.
That separation is not decorative. It follows biosecurity protocols, with independent ventilation circuits for quarantine and healthy-cat areas, and with surfaces and drainage designed for daily cleaning.
Why Ibiza
Ibiza combines a persistent problem of feline abandonment with limited public capacity to respond. At the same time it receives millions of visitors a year. The project turns that flow into stable support: visitors learn about the problem, help sustain the work, and in many cases become recurring donors or adopters.
The functional programme
- Intake and initial diagnosis room
- Independent long-stay quarantine units with terraces
- Adaptation room for settling into the new environment
- Socialisation and observation room
- Quarantine and medical treatment area
- Feeding and medication protocol office
- Separate buildings for cats with feline immunodeficiency (FIV)
- Secure outdoor area with planting, shelters and climbing structures
- Reception, shop and café for visitors
- Multipurpose room for workshops, training and events
Project figures
- Site
- Approximately 27,000 m² in Ibiza
- Planned capacity
- Up to around 75 cats
- Built area
- In the order of 250–300 m², plus outdoor areas
- Feline residence
- Approximately 130 m²
Figures from the outline design, subject to the final project and to the relevant planning permissions.
Where we are and what comes next
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December 2025Site acquired
Purchase of the land for the sanctuary.
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May 2026Foundation incorporated
Incorporation before a notary and appointment of the Board.
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First half of 2026Architectural outline designs
Two practices commissioned and the functional programme defined in detail with the animal-welfare team.
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Summer 2026Final layout
Selection of the architectural practice and sign-off of the layout, including the visitor experience.
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Autumn 2026Administrative procedures
Start of permit applications and of the declaration of general interest with the competent authorities.
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Next phaseConstruction and opening
Building work and commissioning of the centre.
A proposal for local authorities
Managing homeless cats is a municipal responsibility that requires technical means, facilities and trained staff. The Foundation offers itself as a partner: we bring infrastructure, veterinary judgement and management capacity so that councils can meet their obligations with better results and without duplicating resources.
If you represent a public authority and would like to explore working together, please get in touch.
Legal framework
Our work sits within Spanish Law 7/2023 on the protection of the rights and welfare of animals, and within the applicable municipal by-laws on pet ownership and the management of feline colonies.
Help us build the sanctuary
Every contribution becomes veterinary care, food and a safe place for cats that have none today. You can also help by giving your time.