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What is ANAA?

The National Association of Friends of Animals (ANAA) is a non-profit organization founded in Madrid in 1992. We were born out of the initiative of three students who felt compelled to act upon seeing a group of animals left completely helpless and abandoned in San Agustín del Guadalix. Since then, we have been working to provide a humane and effective response to the high numbers of abandoned and abused animals in our country.

Today, ANAA is a pioneering organization nationwide, recognized for its impeccable management and its model for animal welfare.

Since January 2017, ANAA has held official status as a Public Utility Entity (Entidad de Utilidad Pública). This official recognition underscores our social impact and allows our donors and supporters to qualify for tax deductions.

ANAA is a legally constituted organization and is duly registered in the following official records:

  • National Registry of Associations (Ministry of the Interior), No. 112,523
  • Provincial Registry of Associations (Government Delegation), No. 12,653
  • Registry of Associations of the Community of Madrid, No. 27,976
  • Official Title as a Partner Entity of the Community of Madrid, No. CM-004
Old photo
Old photo

Mission and Alliances

Spain has historically suffered from one of the highest pet abandonment rates in Europe. To reverse this situation, we focus our efforts on two lines of action:

  • Short-term action: Caring for, protecting, and rehabilitating animals that have already fallen victim to abandonment or abuse, while efficiently managing their responsible adoption.

  • Medium and long-term action: Preventing future cases through education, public awareness, and social advocacy.

ANAA is a member of the Animal Protection and Welfare Council of the Community of Madrid, a consultative and advisory body for domestic animals. This council is composed of representatives from the Regional Ministry of the Environment, the Federation of Municipalities, SEPRONA (Nature Protection Service), the Royal Canine Society, animal protection associations, and veterinary associations such as AMVAC, AVEPA, and the official College of Veterinarians.

ANAA is an integral part of the State Coordinator for Animal Protection – CEPA (www.proteccionanimal.org), through which the association works collaboratively with other organizations on legal complaints, legislative proposals, and awareness campaigns.

Main building

Main Objectives

ANAA's ultimate goal is to achieve a conscious society that respects animals and life in general, where cruelty and abandonment are unthinkable.


Protection & Advocacy

Actively preventing and reporting abuse, abandonment, and the use of animals in shows, fights, traditional festivals, or any activity that involves cruelty or unnatural treatment.


Responsible Pet Ownership

Promoting proper care and sterilization (spaying/neutering) of companion animals.


Political & Social Impact

Working on legislative proposals, awareness campaigns, and creating specialized working groups to give a voice to the voiceless.

Our Achievements

Thanks to the joint effort of our members, volunteers, and partners, what began in 1992 with scarce resources on a private property has become a benchmark for animal welfare in Spain.

We are pioneers

With our adoption center

In 2003, we inaugurated our current comprehensive Adoption Center, a space that features living areas adapted by care needs and species, the ANAA Veterinary Center (also open to animals with homes), and a Training Room for education and awareness.

x2

Adoptions & Feral Colony Management

We have successfully doubled adoptions both within Spain and across Europe. Additionally, we manage feline welfare through the TNR program (Trap-Neuter-Return) for unsocialized cats.

Recognition

At an institutional level

Our work has been awarded and recognized by highly prestigious entities, including the Reina Sofía Foundation, SEPRONA (Nature Protection Service), the Community of Madrid, the Biodiversidad Foundation, the Affinity Foundation, and the Vodafone Foundation, among others.

2.000

Animals reached

Through our ongoing sterilization campaign, we successfully treat and manage nearly 2,000 dogs and cats every year to prevent unwanted litters.

We educate

With ANAA Education

Creation of a pioneering educational project at a national level. Focused on schools, it instills the values of empathy and responsible pet ownership through the human-animal bond.

+ 2.000

Animals rescued/cared for per year

We have grown from caring for 246 dogs in 1993 to exceeding 2,000 animals per year (including dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds), while successfully reducing the average length of stay at our center to just 3 months.

+45.000

Animals helped

Over ANAA's more than 30 years of active service.