As of this Thursday, the Engrescats entity has ceased to carry out animal collection in the municipality of La Ràpita. According to a statement issued by the animal shelter, the decision is due to the non-payment of the mandatory municipal service by the City Council, a situation that, they claim, has become unsustainable for their finances.
When management fails from the offices, the consequences are not paid by those who decide, they are paid by the most vulnerable.
The association has highlighted that its work goes beyond simple collection, including feeding, deworming, vaccinating, and sterilizing animals until they find a family. They also manage neighborhood conflicts, report abuse, and conduct awareness talks in schools and community centers. They have informed that, from now on, any incident in La Ràpita must be reported directly to the City Council.
For its part, the La Ràpita City Council reacted with surprise to Engrescats' statement, denying the accusations of non-payment. The council has assured that the service has not been discontinued, nor has animal welfare been neglected. Instead, they are working to adapt the management model to a more efficient formula, based on payment for services rendered.
In no case has the service ceased to be provided or animal welfare been neglected; what has been done is to work to adapt the management model to a more efficient formula adjusted to the reality of the municipality, based on payment for services rendered.
Municipal sources explained that the new proposed model change has not been accepted by the entity, which has unilaterally decided to stop providing the service. Furthermore, they revealed that for six years there was no formal contract with Engrescats, but rather invoices were submitted recurrently. The City Council plans to announce an alternative soon, featuring a new operational framework and the participation of local volunteers.
