Not all towns are the same. Some are distinguished by their monuments. Others, by their landscapes. Or by their gastronomy. And others, simply, by their people.
Trigueros del Valle is a town of just over 300 inhabitants, nestled in Castile and León. But its inhabitants have made it unique. Thanks to them, Trigueros del Valle has become a great little town and has come into the international spotlight.
And it is that in Trigueros del Valle, all the dogs and cats in the town have been declared “non-human neighbors”, with the aim of valuing the animals that live with people and addressing abandonment or animal abuse. (Yes, we were also surprised and very happy when we heard the news.)
A declaration (worthy of applause, praise, and to be imitated by all towns in Spain and, hopefully, the world) that demonstrates extraordinary sensitivity on the part of its inhabitants and, for this reason, has earned them two recognitions that no other town holds.
The first is the “I Capital Animal Award”, granted by the eponymous and plural platform of art, culture, and thought. This platform is dedicated to managing projects focused on raising awareness about animal rights, and includes the participation of prominent artists such as Forges, El Roto, Niño de Elche, and Ouka Leele, among others.
To deliver the award, a caravan representing Capital Animal, made up of renowned artists and individuals such as Ouka Leele (National Photography Award), Chus Gutiérrez (filmmaker and multiple Goya Awards nominee), Lluvia Rojo (actress and activist, known primarily for her role in “Cuéntame cómo pasó”), the actress Nathalie Seseña, and the poet Ana Pérez Cañamares, traveled to the location. The celebration was a true party, where vegan food was enjoyed and where, obviously, our four-legged friends were the undisputed protagonists.
The second is the recognition of a pioneering and unique initiative worldwide. An inspiring and exciting milestone that sets a precedent in respecting animal rights and elevates their status as individuals to the category of citizens.
From Aristopet, we celebrate this declaration and the good work of the town council and the inhabitants of Trigueros del Valle, because such decisions demonstrate a growing awareness against animal cruelty, and legislative progress to protect them.
Now it only remains for others to follow suit and for many other towns and cities to understand that the time has come to stand up for those beings who daily show us their unconditional love, who accompany us, improve our mood, and exemplify the idea of loyalty, because they are there to look at us intently whenever necessary, with that deep understanding that people sometimes do not show.
So, dear Aristopeters, we hope you are encouraged to visit Trigueros del Valle, in the province of Valladolid, and discover for yourselves what differentiates an animal capital from one that is not. Although your pets will undoubtedly be the best to tell you. So this could be an excellent opportunity for a getaway together, don't you think?
That said, if you liked this initiative, we encourage you to share this article with your friends to give more visibility to the animal capital and its inspiring and hopeful declaration.