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Animal Foster Care in Barcelona

A research report prepared for Raian Pollock

March 31, 2026

Your Apartment Situation

πŸ“‹

Clause 8.1(f): "Not keep pets on the property, except with the Lessor's express written authorisation."

Pets aren't banned β€” you need written permission from your landlord (Maria Angeles / Top Loft Design S.L.). This is standard in Spain and landlords often agree for reasonable requests. Also note: Clause 2.3 requires returning the property in its original condition, and Clause 9.3 allows deposit deductions for damages.

βœ“ What works

180 sqm apartment, home most of the day, contained balcony, no allergies, flexible schedule

⚑ To manage

Weekend absences, monthly travel (few days), furniture in rental, landlord permission needed

How Fostering Works

  1. Contact an organization

    Email or fill out an online form expressing interest in fostering

  2. Complete a questionnaire

    Housing type, schedule, experience, pet preferences, travel frequency

  3. Interview & matching

    The org proposes an animal based on your profile. You can accept or decline.

  4. Sign agreement & receive animal

    You get the animal, medical records, any medications, and basic supplies

  5. Foster until adoption

    Typical duration: 2 weeks to 3 months. You can end early with 24-48h notice.

Key point: You can choose and filter β€” species, age, temperament, size, health complexity. You always have the right to decline a specific animal. You're never locked in.

Can you return the animal? Yes, always. The animal legally belongs to the organization, not to you. If it's not working out β€” for any reason β€” you give 24-48 hours notice and the org arranges pickup or you bring the animal back. There is no penalty, no fee, no judgment. This is expected and built into the system. Foster homes that aren't a good fit happen regularly, and organizations would rather you return the animal than keep it in a stressful situation. You are never legally or morally obligated to keep fostering.

Organizations in Barcelona

Organization Animals Best For
CAACB Recommended
Municipal shelter
Dogs & Cats Best support: covers food + vet, 24h emergency line, structured training program
Protectora BCN
Est. shelter
Dogs & Cats Large, established organization with long track record
Barcelona Gat i Gos
Foster-only
Cats 100% foster-based, active community, no physical shelter
El Jardinet dels Gats
Cat sanctuary
Cats Well-organized program, requires balcony netting
ProGolden BCN
Breed-specific
Dogs Golden retrievers, labradors & mixes. Foster-home only.
FundaciΓ³ Silvestre
Cat shelter
Cats ~100 cats at any time, also manages TNR street colonies

What You'd Spend

🐱
€30–70/mo
Cat β€” food & litter
🐢
€50–100/mo
Dog β€” food & supplies

What the organization covers

  • All veterinary care (vaccinations, spay/neuter, illness, emergencies)
  • Microchipping & registration (animal stays under org's custody)
  • Medications for pre-existing conditions
  • 24-hour emergency vet support (CAACB)
  • Food (CAACB specifically β€” others vary)

What you provide

  • Food & litter (unless org covers it)
  • Safe living space, time, and affection
  • Dog walking (if fostering a dog)
  • Transport to vet appointments

With CAACB, your costs could be near zero β€” they cover food, vet, and supplies. One-time setup (bowls, bed, scratching post) runs €30–60 if the org doesn't provide them.

Cats vs. Dogs for Your Lifestyle

🐱

Adult Cat

Daily attention 30–60 min
Left alone 8–10 hours βœ“
Weekend away Manageable
Monthly travel Easy
Furniture risk Low
Monthly cost €30–70
🐢

Adult Dog

Daily attention 2–3 hours
Left alone 4–6 hours max
Weekend away Needs sitter
Monthly travel Harder logistics
Furniture risk Moderate
Monthly cost €50–100

When You're Away

🐱 Cat β€” Short Trip (2–3 days)

Fine with automatic feeder + someone checking in. Cats are self-sufficient. Discuss with org first.

🐢 Dog β€” Any Trip

Needs a handoff every time. Org can take back temporarily or arrange backup foster. Give 2+ weeks notice.

Pro tip: State your travel pattern upfront in the questionnaire so the org factors it into matching. Some fosters build informal backup networks with other foster families in the same organization.

Legal Requirements in Catalonia

πŸ’‰

Microchipping

Mandatory for dogs, cats, and ferrets. The organization handles this β€” chip stays registered to them.

πŸ“

Municipal Census

All pets must be registered within 30 days. The organization typically manages this for foster animals.

πŸ›‘οΈ

Dog Insurance

Liability insurance (€100k min) is required for dogs under Ley 7/2023. Confirm the org's policy covers fosters.

πŸ“„

Written Agreement

Catalan law defines "casa de acogida" specifically β€” your foster arrangement must be formalized in writing.

Practical Apartment Tips

  • Balcony netting β€” Required by most cat orgs. Install mesh/netting before receiving a cat. Some orgs can connect you with specialized installers.
  • Furniture protection β€” Cover sofas with washable throws. Provide scratching posts near furniture the cat gravitates toward.
  • First 24–72 hours β€” Give the animal one small, quiet room to decompress. Don't let them roam the full 180 sqm immediately.
  • Cable & plant safety β€” Put away electrical cables and toxic plants (lilies are deadly for cats).
  • Enzyme cleaners β€” Keep enzyme-based cleaners on hand for accidents. Available at any pet store.
  • Neighbors β€” Barcelona apartments have thin walls. Ask the org about the animal's noise/behavior history before accepting.
  • Summer heat β€” Ensure fresh water and shade. Avoid walking dogs 12:00–17:00. Tile floors are great β€” animals seek them for cooling.

If You Decide to Go For It

  1. Get landlord permission in writing

    Email or WhatsApp Maria Angeles / Top Loft Design S.L. requesting written authorization per Clause 8.1(f). Mention it's temporary fostering through an official organization.

  2. Contact CAACB

    Email coordinaciovoluntariat.caacb@bcn.cat β€” best first org for structured support and cost coverage.

  3. Install balcony netting (if cat)

    Required before receiving a cat. Quick install, usually under €100.

  4. Complete questionnaire & interview

    Be honest about travel, schedule, and preferences. This helps them match well.

  5. Welcome your first foster animal 🐾

    Set up the decompression room, stock up on supplies, and enjoy the experience.

Key Contacts

CAACB Start here

coordinaciovoluntariat.caacb@bcn.cat

Barcelona Gat i Gos

infogats@barcelonagatigos.org

El Jardinet dels Gats

acollides.jardinet@gmail.com

Protectora BCN

(+34) 934 170 124