Information

The Situation of Street Cats

Street cats are a reality in most Spanish municipalities. These are animals that, through abandonment or birth on the street, live outside the home and depend on the solidarity of neighbours and associations like Feliana to survive.

In August 2022, Spain's Animal Welfare Law (Ley de Bienestar Animal) came into force, establishing for the first time a specific legal framework for the protection of companion animals, including street cats. This law prohibits the culling of feral cats and promotes humane management through controlled colonies.

At the regional level, the Valencian Community has Law 2/2023, of 13 March, on the welfare and protection of companion animals, which complements national legislation and establishes specific obligations for municipalities regarding the management of feline colonies.

Abandonment and Non-Sterilisation

The two main causes of the street cat problem are abandonment and lack of sterilisation. An unsterilised female cat can have up to three litters a year, averaging four or five kittens per litter. Within a few years, a single cat and her offspring can produce hundreds of animals.

Abandonment of companion animals has been a criminal offence in Spain since the 2023 reform of the Penal Code. However, raising awareness remains the most effective tool for preventing this situation.

Sterilisation via the TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) method is the only effective and humane long-term solution for controlling street cat populations, supported by numerous scientific studies and recognised by current legislation.

Witnessed Animal Abuse?

If you witness abuse, abandonment or any situation that puts an animal's welfare at risk, act. You can report it to: