The Foundation

We believe in a bond that transforms the world

We believe that a world with dogs and cats is a better place thanks to the transformative power of the human-animal bond.

A bond that enriches the experience of dogs, cats and pet-parents. A bond that often has a profoundly positive impact on people’s mental health, helping to improve society as a whole.

The unique relationship we form with our pets makes us feel good. It is a relationship that enriches us; it stimulates resilience, communication with others and empathy. It strengthens the social fabric as it promotes healthier relationships.

At our Foundation we know the value of this bond and its benefits for society as a whole. We have spent years raising awareness about these benefits, researching them and putting them into practice with therapy programmes.

We work every day to improve the lives of animals and people.

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Social Action

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Awareness-raising

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Research

Bond

We research

Research is the best way to shed light on animals’ problems and the benefits they bring us. That’s why we formed the first research group to investigate our bond with animals in Spain, the Affinity Animals and Health Research Group at the Universidad Autónoma in Barcelona, and also the Affinity Foundation Observatory to disseminate our knowledge.

We take action

If it’s not family dogs, it’s therapy dogs. We have spent over 25 years applying the benefits of this bond through our Social Action projects as well as Therapies and Education Assisted by Companion Animals to help people with motivational issues feel better and take action.

We raise awareness

Our campaigns are designed to encourage reflection. We want to disseminate the benefits of our bond, make the unseen visible and raise awareness about the responsible care of dogs and cats. By working together, we make things easier.

Who we are

We are experts in our field. We have an entrepreneurial mindset. We are pioneers in research, awareness-raising and social action with animals. We are curious. We never stop researching and learning. We believe in respect for animals and people. We are committed to our work: research, taking action and raising awareness. We are optimists and believe that our work can change society for the better.

Our impact

Pioneers in introducing animal therapies

in Spain: in prisons, hospitals, residential homes, schools, etc.

Over 100,000 beneficiaries

of our animal-assisted therapy programmes since 1992

First anti-abandonment campaign

“He wouldn’t do it to you. Don’t abandon him”

Annual abandonment study

since 1995

+700 real stories about the bond

on our website. Inspiring testimonies that pay homage to our dogs and cats.

Animals are not Things

A campaign that publicised the change in the law in partnership with the Animal Justice and Defence Observatory

Primer grupo investigador

sobre el vínculo desde 2011: La Cátedra Fundación Affinity Animales y Salud

+30 years

conducting annual awareness-raising campaigns

References in the media

to issues of responsible cohabitation, abandonment and to the human-animal bond

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Government bodies

Patronage

Carolina Usandizaga Carulla, President

Lluís Carulla Ruiz, Vice-President

Francisco Gispert Ribera, Secretary

Beatriz Ferrer-Salat Serra de Migni, Spokesperson

Celina Torres Lloveras, Spokesperson

Cristina García-Orcoyen Tormo, Spokesperson

Francesc Blanch Martell, Spokesperson

Josep Campmany Sallas, Spokesperson

Josep Maria Solé Gracia, Spokesperson

Juan Martín, Spokesperson

Juanjo Sáez-Torres, Spokesperson

Lluís Miguel Ferrer Caubet, Spokesperson

Magdalena Oranich i Sologran, Spokesperson

Marc Jové Gestí, Spokesperson

Miquel Ángel Roca Bennassar, Spokesperson

History

Activity reports

Memoria de Actividades 2023

Collaborators

Logo Dirección General de Atención a la Infancia y Adolescencia
Logo Hospital Universitario Sagrat Cor
Logo Cruz Roja
Logo Escola lleó XIII
Logo fundación Vallparadis
Logo ministerio del interior
Logo Caritas
Logo Fundación Banc del Aliments
Logo Miwuki
Logo FAADA
Logo DA+
Logo Generalitat de Catalunya
Logo Ajuntament de Barcelona
Logo International Center for Animal Law and Policy
Logo Derecho Animal
Logo la SPA