Torrevieja Town Hall has approved a third extension to the construction deadline for the municipal animal shelter, granting Construcciones Urdecon a further six months to complete the works. The project, originally awarded in August 2023, must now be finished by 8 December 2026. The works were suspended in April 2024 to adapt the plans to the Animal Welfare Act and restarted in April 2025.

A previous extension had already moved the deadline to 8 June 2026. The council says delays have been caused by the need to carry out works while the shelter remained operational, including relocating animals, installing new fencing, reorganising facilities within the site and adding a wastewater connection not included in the original project.

Costs have also increased. An earlier modification added 130,638 euros, bringing the contract total to 1,412,330 euros, a rise of just over 10%. A second budget increase is now being processed to reflect higher material prices and accessibility improvements. Although dogs and cats have been moved into improved kennels, reception and veterinary facilities are still incomplete.

The report also highlights disruption caused by the temporary housing of 87 feral fowl due to avian influenza restrictions. Stress among the birds led to additional protective measures and pauses in nearby construction. The council is awaiting authorisation to relocate them permanently to approved facilities.