Who are we?

Fifteen years ago Santuario La Candela was founded, and the project has welcomed and cared for a judge amount of animals ever since. Over 3000 living beings have been adopted into new families.

Our philosophy has always been one of positivity and respect towards the animals we live with: the dogs live in packs while waiting for their new forever home, and we work on their temperament and behavioral issues to allow them to live a good and social life.

Team

Ana Pérez Freire

Ethological training, animal transport, and veterinary care.

I came here looking for a place where respect and progress go hand in hand, a place where I could build my life, grow emotionally, and acquire knowledge about animal care to give them the life they deserve.

At "Santuario La Candela," I have found what I was looking for, and I can say that I feel ready to teach the world what we want to project.

Jon Manez de Vicente

I was born in Bilbao in 1994. I've been working for/with animals since 2017 and everything I've learned during this time has helped me confirm that the only correct way to work with them is with respect, empathy and patience.

That's why I firmly believe in this project and in its way of seeing and understanding the animal world of which we are all a part.

Liesbeth Forier

I am the veterinarian at Santuario La Candela. I graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Ghent (Belgium) in June 2020. Since then, I have lived and worked at Santuario La Candela for several years.

Thanks to my experience and ongoing training at La Candela, I feel fully qualified to provide the best care for all kinds of animals: dogs, cats, horses, ruminants, exotic animals, and more.

In addition to providing medical care, I am fully dedicated to the well-being of the animals and their daily care. I am convinced that understanding the mental state and true needs of the animals is essential to provide them with the best care.

Lucía Martínez

I founded Santuario La Candela in 2011. I am 37 years old and was born in San Fernando (Cádiz). Since then, I have rescued and rehabilitated animals, and helped find new homes for dogs and cats.

My work is completely vocational; since I was a child, I was aware of animal suffering, so I can't do anything other than do what I do.

Additionally, I am a yoga and meditation instructor at Esana Yoga (Sevilla), a collaborative and supportive project also connected to Santuario La Candela and the animals that live there.

Lydia Caballero

I have always wanted to make the world a fairer and more livable place, which is why I studied Social Education.

When I arrived at Santuario La Candela three years ago, I knew it was the place where this dream could be pursued.

Now I know that with our actions, we can all create a better world for both human and non-human animals.

Pedro Gómez

I have been living at La Candela Sanctuary since 2022. During my time here I have worked caring for animals of different species and I have lived with dogs of all kinds.

The experiences I have had in this place have made me understand the importance of seeing each animal for who it is, in order to understand its needs, care for them and give them the life they deserve.