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Paper Short Abstract:

Based on fieldwork conducted in Galicia between 2021 and 2023, this presentation comparatively addresses the question of the 'good life' for animals through two cases (a small rural village and an animal sanctuary), where the categories of the wild and the domestic play a central role.

Paper Abstract:

What is a 'good life' for an animal? How can a 'good life' be achieved and maintained? These questions are relevant not only for humans but also for animals. This presentation, based on fieldwork carried out between 2021 and 2023 in Galicia, north-western Spain, comparatively explores answers through two cases, where the categories of the wild and the domestic respectively have a prominent place.

On one hand, there is a small rural village called Sabucedo, where the ancient ritual of the Rapa das Bestas (Shaving the Beasts) takes place. In this ritual, horses are gathered once a year from the mountains and brought to the village for a few days to have their manes and tails cut, in addition to receiving medical care. This event attracts thousands of tourists every year. These horses are managed throughout the year by an association of locals, aiming to keep them autonomous and free in the mountains.

On the other hand, there is the animal sanctuary 'Vacaloura', located near Santiago de Compostela, one of the first experiences of its kind in Spain. Here, animals 'rescued' from the food, entertainment, and/or companionship industries find refuge. In the sanctuary, the animals are subjected to daily routines and continuous care, with the goal of them being protected for life within it.

The presentation analyzes the meaning of the mentioned categories, considering practices, the configuration of spatialities, and the frictions they provoke in each case. A central idea of the presentation is that the categories of the wild and the domestic, as 'productions,' remain relevant for thinking about the 'good life' of animals in the present day.