Fundación Altarriba, a non profit making organization, was constituted in June 1998 and is registered with number 1217 in the Registry of Foundations of the Generalitat de Catalunya, develops programmes and projects all focused in the protection of animals, with funds from private people:

The Foundation, in accordance with the law, is governed by a Board, therefore exempt from charges, and also has an Honorary Board.

The name Altarriba, which means "high riverside" comes from a fort house, a "domus", dated at 1175. It was founded by two knights, Vermei and Berenguer, who adopted that surname. This house still remains standing by the Plana of Vic, between the cities of Calldetenes and Sant Julià de Vilatorta, in the area of Osona. Gloria Casas, president of our Board, lived there for many years and, when founded our entity, did not forget that there she sheltered the first abandoned animals she saved.

The name Altarriba seems to be the origin of that surname. It is on several Spanish encyclopaedies, mentioning its history and the wars the knights declared in the area, and on the Catalonia National Archives. Today is also the name of our Foundation, from which we work and fight for the life and respect the animals deserve, because we know that that way we also protect and respect our human condition.