The proliferation of stray cats on the streets of Spain has triggered serious problems for public health and biodiversity. This ‘feline invasion’ not only affects urban environments, but also poses serious ecological and health challenges.
Given the worrying situation, several Spanish towns have implemented strict regulations, including high penalties for those who feed these animals without authorization.
In cities like Arrecife, in Las Palmas, the uncontrolled presence of stray cats has forced the city council to take drastic measures. Recently, regulations were approved that seek to control and manage feline colonies. This municipal ordinance includes a capture, sterilization and return (CER) program for cats, along with microchip identification and daily management of the colonies.
The city’s Councilor for Animal Health and Welfare, Jacobo Lemes, has pointed out that this regulation represents “significant progress” in the fight against the uncontrolled proliferation of cats in Arrecife.
Additionally, the law requires that anyone who wants to feed stray cats must obtain a special permit from the City Council. Those who fail to comply with these regulations may face fines of up to 1,500 euros.
The problem of feline colonies
The lack of control in the stray cat population not only generates coexistence problems in Spanish cities, but also poses a considerable risk to public health.
The accumulation of food scraps and feed on the streets attracts other unwanted animals, such as rats and pigeons, which can carry diseases. But not only them, cats can transmit zoonosesdiseases that can pass from animals to humans, increasing the risk of infections among the population.
Miguel Clavero, researcher at the Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC), warns that stray cats also represent a significant environmental problem, since they are efficient predators and its action can have a significant impact on local fauna.
Sanctions and preventive measures
The regulations in Arrecife are similar to those of other Spanish municipalities, which seek to avoid the problems associated with the indiscriminate feeding of stray animals.
Fines for feeding cats without permission are not an isolated case. In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a woman was fined 1,500 euros for feed the pigeons recurrently. These measures seek to discourage uncontrolled eating and encourage the adoption of responsible practices.
Stray cats eating.
For those interested in collaborating with the control of feline colonies, it is essential to follow established protocols. Volunteers must obtain accreditation that allows them to feed cats in an organized manner and in specific places, thus minimizing risks to public health and to the animals themselves.
Environmental impact
The presence of stray cats not only affects human health, but also has a negative impact on biodiversity as a whole. According to a study by the University of La Laguna (ULL), Cats (domestic and stray) in Spain kill millions of animals a year.
In the Balearic Islands, for example, the situation is especially serious, since many endemic species are threatened by cat predation. In the same way as in the Canary Islands, cats have contributed to the decline of endemic species of reptiles and seabirdssome of which are in danger of extinction.
Cat with a bird in its mouth.
Biologist Miguel Clavero, for example, proposes two solutions to address this problem: the adoption of stray cats and, in extreme cases, the sacrifice of those feral specimens that cannot be reintegrated into a home. Although this last measure is controversial, Clavero emphasizes that it is necessary to protect the biodiversity of some vulnerable areas.
The proliferation of stray cats in Spain is a complex problem that requires a multidisciplinary approach. The municipal regulations adopted in some parts of the country seek to balance the need to protect public health and biodiversity with animal welfare. However, the key to solving this problem lies in collaboration between authorities, volunteers and the community in general.
Baby cats eating on the street.
Fines for feeding cats without permission are a necessary measure to control the situation, but it is also crucial to promote the adoption and sterilization of these animals. Only through a joint effort can we guarantee harmonious coexistence and protect both public health and our natural environment.
*For more information about how to get a permit to feed cats street information or about adoption and sterilization programs, visit your local council’s website.