Seconded By: Vladimir Karamazov,
Every year, in Spain, more than 280,000 companion animals are abandoned, and thousands of farmed animals are discarded from livestock operations, where their usual fate is slaughter. While some companion animals find a second chance in shelters and adoptive homes, only a minority of those traditionally associated with agricultural production are rescued and relocated to sanctuaries. These spaces, conceived as environments of protection, provide them with the opportunity to live in conditions of well-being and receive care until their natural death.
Sanctuaria is a documentary photography project that relates these two realities to analyze the impact of such initiatives and their contribution to animal protection. The project explores the rehabilitation process of rescued animals and the relationships of empathy and respect they establish with their caregivers.
In a global context where human activity is a direct cause of increasing environmental degradation, sanctuaries and shelters represent alternative models of animal care and management. Their work extends beyond the physical recovery of animals and the facilitation of responsible adoptions; they also play a fundamental role in raising public awareness about animal welfare.
This work takes place in various institutions dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of animals, including the shelters Fundación Salvando Peludos (Madrid) and Scooby (Valladolid), as well as prominent sanctuaries in Spain such as Gaia (Girona), Eden Sanctuary (Mallorca), and El Hogar Animal (Barcelona). Despite differences in their nature and function, these spaces share a common goal: to ensure the well-being of animals that have been abandoned or mistreated.
Sanctuaria seeks to foster a critical reflection on the coexistence between humans and non-human animals. Through a documentary and journalistic approach, this project aims to highlight the complexity of these initiatives and their significance within a broader debate on respect, rights, and ethics in our relationship with animals.
01-SANCTUARIA
“Since I wanted to show one of the most powerful parts of medieval blacksmithing, I was preparing massive iron dons to weld them to “calda”, that is to say, the ancient way of welding without electricity. It was an attempt to project some human faction in the iron, without any kind of metric, using what I had around me to then create a forest of misunderstood beings.
This particular bird has been created for my friend Pierina Seinfeld, who is dedicated to transforming individual elements and hanging them in order to find a constant moving balance between them.” Iñigo Flores, artist.
This iron bird was created by Iñigo Flores, blacksmith artist, at his workshop in La Junquera for his friend Pierina Seinfeld, who is dedicated to transforming individual elements and hanging them in order to find a constant moving balance between them.
02-SANCTUARIA
“Since I wanted to show one of the most powerful parts of medieval blacksmithing, I was preparing massive iron dons to weld them to “calda”, that is to say, the ancient way of welding without electricity. It was an attempt to project some human faction in the iron, without any kind of metric, using what I had around me to then create a forest of misunderstood beings.
This particular bird has been created for my friend Pierina Seinfeld, who is dedicated to transforming individual elements and hanging them in order to find a constant moving balance between them.” Iñigo Flores, artist.
This iron bird was created by Iñigo Flores, blacksmith artist, at his workshop in La Junquera for his friend Pierina Seinfeld, who is dedicated to transforming individual elements and hanging them in order to find a constant moving balance between them.
03-SANCTUARIA
Paola was abandoned outside a farm when the rest of the pigs were taken to the slaughterhouse. She had a broken vertebra and was unable to move her hind limbs, so it was impossible to get her in the truck. The staff at Gaia sanctuary rescued Paola and took care of her. It took a huge effort and extensive treatment, but now that her vertebra has healed, Paola is starting to regain mobility. Every day, Olivia Gomez, a worker at the sanctuary, treats Paola with physiotherapy and electrotherapy. And although progress is slow, Paola can now stand up with help and even take a few tiny steps.
04-SANCTUARIA
“I got the deer tattoo because I love deer. In this case, this tattoo doesn’t symbolize anything in particular. It was an aesthetic decision, and I really love it.” Coque Fernandez Abellá, veterinarian and co-founder of the Gaia sanctuary.
05-SANCTUARIA
Yanniek Schoonhoven holds a basket with fresh eggs just collected from their farm hens at La Junquera, a regeneration academy fro agriculture and livestock.
06-SANCTUARIA
At El Hogar Animal sanctuary the pig River is named in honour of the late actor River Phoenix, a major animal rights activist. Although Phoenix died very young, he had always been committed to promoting veganism and explained his motives for following this diet whenever the opportunity arose. Many of the animals are named after humans, and quite a few of them are named after public figures known for their animal rights activism such as Morrissey or Paul McCartney.
07-SANCTUARIA
The pond at El Hogar Animal sanctuary. In November 2024 it shelters 60 fish.
08-SANCTUARIA
At Gaia, every four months, the sanctuary’s staff deworms all the birds at the sanctuary (ducks, geese, chickens, and turkeys). To do so, the staff treat each bird individually, applying a spray under each wing to free the birds of fleas, lice, etc., and giving each bird a few drops of syrup (Fembendazole), depending on the animal’s weight, to get rid of internal parasites. Veterinary protocols and routines are meticulously observed at the sanctuary.
09-SANCTUARIA
Daga and Itak are Gaia sanctuary’s oldest inhabitants. These two horses, a mother and son, were already on the estate before Gaia acquired and rented the thirty-three acres to set up the sanctuary near
Camprodón, in Girona. The horses had both been used for riding, and the sanctuary decided to keep them. They now live free in the forest inside the sanctuary, in an area somewhat far removed from the other animals. But they will soon begin a period of adaptation to help them get used to living with the other animals.
10-SANCTUARIA
Nicole Eden feeds Faith at night. Faith is a 15 days lamb rescued a few days ago.
One day, Nicole, got a distressed call from the farm vet. She had been called out to euthanize a tiny mallorquin red sheep. Faith had been rejected by her mum and the farmer did not want the trouble of having to bottle feed her. She didn’t think twice and took her and the sheep recognices Nicole as her mum and follows her everywhere. If not fed by the mother, lambs have to be bottle-fed every four hours for the first month.