I am Laia Sánchez Golobart, a wildlife veterinarian and educator at the Zoo del Pirineu.
I am responsible for the health and rehabilitation of rescued animals, the training of future professionals, and the legal management of the centre.
Education: Degree in Veterinary Medicine at the Autonomous University of Barcelona
Member of: EAZWV
Teaching: Practical training course for veterinary students
What I enjoy most: hiking in the mountains, walking by the sea, birdwatching, and discovering new places through travel.
What I don’t like: disorder. I get nervous when someone doesn’t understand my way of organising things (I admit, I’m a bit of a perfectionist…). I also don’t like tomatoes.
My personal challenge for 2025
Every year we receive animals in critical condition: road accidents, electrocutions, shootings, or cases of abuse. To provide them with the best veterinary care, we urgently need an X-ray machine.
Estimated cost: €23,000. With your support, we will be able to diagnose with precision and save many more lives.
Laia Sanchez’s life before the Zoo del Pirineu
From childhood to vocation
From an early age, I felt fascinated by every kind of animal: domestic, wild, and farm animals. That passion led me to dedicate my life to becoming a wildlife veterinarian.
Childhood
Since I was a child, I have always loved animals – whether domestic, wild, or farm animals.
University
During my university years, I completed my training on a pig farm: they are great fun, but they squeal a lot!
Work in the Philippines
My first job as a veterinarian was at the wildlife rescue centre in the Philippines, Wildlife in Need Foundation.
England
My second role as a veterinarian was at the RSPCA, the largest wildlife rescue centre in England.
My work at the Zoo del Pirineu
Today, I am the head wildlife veterinarian at the rescue centre of the Zoo del Pirineu, where every animal has a unique story. My main responsibilities are:
Veterinary care, nutrition, and welfare
I operate on animals that arrive at the rescue centre with severe injuries.
I am responsible for the health of the inhabitants of the Zoo del Pirineu rescue centre.
I spend a lot of time analysing faeces (yes, poo!) to detect health threats to animals in time.
I design and supervise the diet of all species.
Professional training in wildlife veterinary medicine
I teach specialised courses for veterinarians and veterinary nurses.
I supervise internships where students gain hands-on experience in the care of wild animals.
Continuous team training
I lead internal animal welfare programmes to maintain the highest standards of care at the Zoo.
Education and awareness: I guide visitors through educational activities and school visits.
Legal compliance
I take care of the complex legal side of working with wildlife: permits, registrations, and official regulations. It is a demanding task, but essential to ensure animal welfare and maintain transparency at the Zoo del Pirineu.
Conservation
I coordinate conservation and research projects developed by the Zoo del Pirineu Foundation, always with one goal: to protect native wildlife and contribute to scientific knowledge about nature.
Construction
When new facilities are needed for the animals, we build them ourselves as a team. Each member contributes their effort and knowledge, turning the lack of resources into an opportunity for unity and commitment.
Join my mission
Being a wildlife veterinarian is not just my profession – it is my commitment to nature.
But I cannot do it alone: every day, animals arrive who depend on our help.
With your support, I will be able to provide faster diagnoses and save the lives of hundreds of wild animals.
