In early 2026, the La Muntanyeta animal sanctuary, located in Terrassa and owned by Melody González, had to act urgently to protect the wild boars residing there. The declaration of emergency due to African swine fever necessitated significant construction work to create a new isolated space that met the requirements of the departments of Agriculture and Territory, particularly to prevent contact with other animals like birds.
Despite these efforts and investments in adaptations, almost three months later, the administration has prohibited González from keeping the animals at the facilities. Restrictions have tightened, and La Muntanyeta is now deemed non-compliant with the required standards.
“"There are not enough places for all the animals."
Last week, the DARP (Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda) visited González's property, accompanied by a Mossos d'Esquadra patrol, to deliver a "culling order." The shelter owner has one month to appeal the decision, with only two options on the table: relocate the wild boars to another center or sacrifice them. González laments the rigidity of the Generalitat, emphasizing that the animals are healthy and have passed all sanitary controls.
The main problem, according to González, is the lack of available spaces in other sanctuaries and care centers. She states that only two of the four suitable sanctuaries for wild boars have space for a maximum of ten animals, an insufficient number for all affected wild boars. She believes this measure only seeks the elimination of the animals, criticizing that they are "destroying the only beautiful places that exist regarding animal consciousness and respect."
Melody González points out that most of these spaces are managed by non-profit organizations or individuals, as is her case, and they do not derive economic benefit from them. She denounces the pressure from administrations, which coerce them into choosing between an "impossible" relocation or culling, under threat of fines up to 10,000 euros if they refuse. She has issued a plea through social media to find alternatives that would allow her animals and those of other colleagues in similar situations to be saved.
