Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| protectora de animales | /pɾoteɡtoɾa de animales/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| protectora | /pɾoteɡˈtoɾa/ | feminine |
| perrera | /peˈreɾa/ | feminine |
You can use protectora de animales to describe a rescue organization that focuses on animal welfare. Once the context of animals is already established, it is common to shorten the phrase to just la protectora.
Which one should you use?
Use protectora de animales when you mean a non-profit or rescue-based organization. In contrast, perrera often refers to a municipal dog pound or kennel and can carry a more negative or clinical connotation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term albergue de animales is commonly used in Spain and some Latin American countries. In Spain and certain Latin American countries, perrera can refer to an animal shelter or a place where stray dogs are held. In some Latin American countries, centros de rescate is also used to refer to an animal shelter.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to multiple animal shelters in a general sense, you can use the shortened feminine plural form las protectoras.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾoteɡtoɾa de animales/
Did you know?
- While albergue is used for animal shelters, the same word is most commonly used in Spain to describe the budget hostels used by pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago.
- The term protectora is a feminine noun because it refers to a sociedad protectora, meaning a 'protective society' or association.
- While protectora comes from the verb 'to protect', the word perrera is formed by adding the suffix -era, which is often used in Spanish to denote a place where a specific object or animal is kept.
Examples in context
- Quiero donar algo al refugio de animales local.I want to donate something to the local animal shelter.
- Me gustaría adoptar un perro de un albergue de animales.I would like to adopt a dog from an animal shelter.
- Mi amiga está buscando un refugio para animales donde pueda adoptar un gato.My friend is looking for an animal shelter where she can adopt a cat.
- Encontré a este perro abandonado en la perrera y decidí adoptarlo.I found this abandoned dog in the animal shelter and decided to adopt him.
- El centro de rescate necesita voluntarios para cuidar a los animales.The animal shelter needs volunteers to take care of the animals.
- Trabajo como voluntaria en la protectora de animales.I work as a volunteer at the animal shelter.
- La protectora de animales necesita más donaciones de comida.The animal shelter needs more food donations.
- ¿Podemos adoptar a ese perro de la protectora de animales?Can we adopt that dog from the animal shelter?
Example conversation
Mateo and María are discussing a stray dog they found.
- MateoEncontramos un perro abandonado en la calle.We found an abandoned dog in the street.
- MaríaDebemos llevarlo a la protectora de animales.We should take him to the animal shelter.
- MateoMaría, ¿crees que lo cuidarán bien allí?María, do you think they will take good care of him there?
- MaríaSí, la protectora de animales es muy responsable.Yes, the animal shelter is very responsible.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “animal shelter” translations and entries protectora de animales, protectora, perrera, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, perrera, CC BY-SA 4.0.
