The contract for animal care at the Municipal Shelter for the next two years is out for tender, for an amount of 642,136 euros.

The Local Government Board (LGB) in its meeting held this morning, October 17, approved the specifications and explanatory report for the contract for the "management services for the collection, handling, and safekeeping of animals from the Municipal Shelter and urban fauna in the municipality of Torrevieja."

According to the Councilor for Animal Protection, Concha Sala, the contract covers the care of the Torrevieja Municipal Pet Shelter, including the collection, maintenance, and safekeeping of all species of pets found stray, lost, abandoned, abandoned, or seized within the municipality. This contract also includes feline animals from colonies that, due to need (health problems, relocation, reconditioning of their home colony, etc.), must be temporarily housed at the shelter.

The service will be provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For practical purposes, the contract also includes the supply of food, hygiene, and cleaning products necessary to care for the animals and the shelter facilities, as well as food for the community cats.

This is an open procurement procedure, subject to harmonized regulations, with an estimated value of €321,068 (VAT included) for one year. The contract can be extended for another year, which would result in a total of €642,136. The deadline for submitting bids will be 30 calendar days from the date of publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The award of this contract will take into account factors such as sustainable vehicles, professional experience, collaboration with other organizations, talks and workshops, and, of course, a financial offer that benefits the City Council.

The Councilor for Animal Protection emphasized that animal welfare will be guaranteed, as staff training and preparation will be taken into account. Furthermore, these specifications specify in detail the course of action in each of the situations that may arise, as the Department of Animal Protection has the support of the municipal veterinarian, who has significantly facilitated the enhancement of each of the services. Among other aspects, this contract could become a pioneer in the provision of sufficient food for community cats.

Concha Sala noted that the organization of the staff will also be taken into account to cover the current 365-day-a-year schedule open to the public, so that staff and volunteers can care for the animals.

The winning company must provide training sessions for the adopters. Refresher courses on animal legislation and methods for working with animals are provided to all team members.

The Department of Animal Protection has been working for a full year to prepare these specifications "in order to award the service to the person who can best treat our animals beyond compliance with the law."