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.
Animal Protection Law
Law 4/1994, of 8 July, of the Generalitat Valenciana, on the protection of companion animals, was the first Valencian regional law on this subject. It establishes the obligations of owners, the conditions of keeping animals and the penalties for abuse or abandonment.
You can read the full text in the BOE (Official State Gazette):
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:
Frequently asked questions about adoption
Answers to the most common questions about adopting a cat from Feliana.
What does the adoption process look like at Feliana?
You complete the application form, we contact you to get to know you, we arrange a visit or video call, and if everything fits we sign an adoption contract. The process usually takes one to two weeks.
Is there a cost to adopt a cat?
We ask for a contribution that covers the cat's veterinary care: sterilisation, microchip, deworming, vaccinations, and FIV/FeLV testing. The exact amount is agreed during the application — it covers our costs and is not a profit.
Do I need to live in L'Eliana or Valencia to adopt?
It is not essential, but we prioritise homes in the Valencian Community because it makes post-adoption follow-up and returns easier if needed. We assess each case individually.
Do you follow up after the adoption?
Yes. We stay in touch with the adopting family to make sure the integration is going well and to answer any questions. Follow-up is part of the commitment we make to every cat we rescue.
What happens if the cat doesn't settle in my home?
If after a reasonable settling-in period the match isn't working, the cat returns to Feliana. The adoption contract includes this clause — our priority is the animal's welfare, not forcing an adoption that doesn't fit.
Can I help without adopting?
Yes. You can become a member, donate, foster a cat temporarily, sponsor an animal, or volunteer. Full details are on the How to help page.
Dogs look at us as if we were gods. Cats, on the other hand, look at us as if they were the gods. Which, in all probability, is correct.