Queen Sofia has given herself the Christmas present of her dreams. The Queen, known for her passion for animals, is getting her own animal shelter, with her project set to become a reality in the near future. She was recently photographed smiling widely as she toured the construction site of the planned project, taking in every detail.
The Queen wore a padded jacket, dark pants, and a bright green blouse for the occasion, as she toured the facilities, located in Arganda del Rey.
Last July, the town council announced that the Queen Sofía Foundation had approved the construction of an animal protection center and had requested the involvement of the local government. “We say yes for the animals, yes for all the people of Arganda, and yes to continue growing,” said Mayor Alberto Escribano on social media.
The Foundation’s board requested “the contribution of designated public land on which to carry out the construction of said Center, through a specific agreement that allows for the establishment of surface rights.”
The plot is located on the La Isla estate, which Queen Sofía visited last April alongside the mayor.
The project is one that brings the Queen much happiness. Over the years, the queen has made animal welfare one of her main concerns. Her five dogs have been the stars of her Christmas greeting with King Juan Carlos. These include two black cocker spaniels, two white miniature schnauzers, and a tiny Peekapoo. Now, the animals are in the care of the Queen, following her husband's move to Abu Dhabi five years ago.
The Queen's love for animals, documented
The Queen also keeps donkeys at Zarzuela, a species for which she has a particular fondness. She sponsors several in southern Spain, and for her 70th birthday, she was gifted a pair of Zamorano-Leonese donkeys that now live in the royal stables.
Staff at the Madrid Zoo attest to Doña Sofía’s love for the animal world, noting her bond with the legendary panda bear Chulín, the first panda born in captivity in Europe. His parents were a gift from the Chinese government to King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía during an official visit, with the couple later donating them to the zoo. Her support for the conservation of these animals earned her international recognition from the Ouwehand Zoo in Rhenen, the Netherlands, which awarded her the Gold Medal at the Giant Panda Global Awards in 2019. The Queen has also taken part in the release of several sea turtles, most recently last year in Tenerife, after personally naming them.