In recent years, Cat adoptions have become increasingly popular in Spain, with local councils, animal shelters and neighborhood associations They are focused on providing responsible homes for cats arriving at shelters and urban colonies. Far from being an isolated phenomenon, the figures show a growing trend of families opening their homes to homeless cats.
This change in trend It still lives with worrying rates of abandonment and shelters at capacity.But it also leaves behind success stories spread across the country: from established municipal programs, such as the one in Xà tiva, to high-profile media campaigns in cities like Zaragoza, to shelters in places like Gijón or Sa Coma (Ibiza), and specific projects for elderly cats in Europe.
The example of XÃ tiva: more cat adoptions and ethical colony control
In XÃ tiva, the City Council has consolidated the program Xatigats as a reference in the management of feline colonies and the adoption of catsAccording to municipal data, 430 interventions were carried out in colonies during 2025, compared to 242 the previous year, which represents a very significant leap in the care of these animals.
Within these actions, feline sterilizations They have skyrocketed to 188 in a single year., almost double the 105 recorded in 2024. This commitment to preventive surgery is part of the application of the TNR (trap, sterilize and return) method, considered by specialists and administrations as the most ethical and effective way to control the community cat population.
The effort is also reflected in the budget: In 2025, 40.091,52 euros were allocated to the management of colonies and the care of cats.Of this amount, the vast majority (36.840,27 euros) went to veterinary services, while 1.889,25 euros were used for food and 1.362 euros for materials such as cages or capture nets, essential for acting safely.
Beyond the technical figures, the impact is seen primarily in households. In 2025, 145 cats from the Xatigats program found familiesThis represents a significant increase compared to 48 adoptions in 2024 and 24 in 2023. Adoptions have almost tripled compared to the previous year and have increased sixfold compared to two years ago, a fact the council attributes to the work of colony managers, volunteering, and the intensive use of social media.
Looking at a longer period, Since the beginning of the current legislature, 722 veterinary interventions in felines have been recorded. and another 580 parallel actions (rescues, captures, mediations, and administrative procedures) involving local police, municipal staff, and volunteers. In total, 208 cats have been adopted and 328 have been sterilized, with a cumulative expenditure of €81.912, confirming the municipality's commitment to this model.
The councillor for Animal Welfare, Susanna Gomar, has publicly emphasized that The project works thanks to the coordination between the Animal Welfare team, the colony managers, and the volunteers in charge of adoptions.The city council insists that increased community involvement, greater awareness, and a constant presence in the media and on social networks have been decisive factors in this historic increase in adopted cats.
Zaragoza: adoption campaigns supported by sports and a record number of cats adopted
In Zaragoza, Cat adoption is also on the rise, and the City Council has opted for highly visible methods to reach a wider audience.One of the most striking initiatives has been the municipal campaign "We play together! Adopting is also winning!", in which the players of Casademont Zaragoza pose in photographs next to dogs and cats looking for a family.
These images, installed right on Paseo Independencia, They use the pull of professional sports to raise awareness of animals available for adoption.The idea is that those who approach out of curiosity will end up seriously considering adding a cat (or a dog) to their lives, always with responsibility and understanding that it is not a passing whim.
The mayor, Natalia Chueca, has taken advantage of the campaign to remind everyone that A pet cannot be treated like a toy or an impromptu gift.but as a living being that requires care, time, and a lasting commitment. It's a message that is repeated in many cities on dates like Christmas, Three Kings Day, or Halloween, when impulse pet purchases increase.
This awareness-raising work This is already reflected in the figures from the Municipal Animal Protection CenterIn 2025, a record 363 adoptions were reached in the city, consolidating a positive trend. Of the total, 207 were cats and 156 were dogs, easily surpassing both the 328 adoptions of 2024 and the 290 registered in 2023, indicating sustained growth.
The collaboration is not limited to the photographic exhibition. The campaign includes support events during Casademont Zaragoza matches.It also has the support of private companies, such as the insurance company Kalibo, which has set up an information point and co-organizes the popular "Family Dog Walk." Although it focuses on both types of animals, the benefit for cats awaiting adoption is direct: greater visibility, more contacts, and a better chance of finding a suitable home.
Gijón and Sa Coma: the daily life of the shelters and the first cats adopted this year
Beyond the big campaigns, daily work in the animal protection centers It remains the basis for many cat adoptions in SpainThe SerÃn shelter in Gijón and the Sa Coma center in Ibiza are clear examples of how management teams strive to find responsible homes for the animals they take in.
In Gijón, the Animal Protection Center, known as the SerÃn shelter, It began a new phase in September with a revamped team at the helm.At that time, more than 140 animals awaiting adoption lived there. In just a few months, the center took in 63 dogs and 44 cats, and by the end of the year, 70 dogs and 55 cats had found homes, a positive outcome considering the high volume of new arrivals.
Despite the progress, daily reality remains harsh. The team recounts cases like that of An abandoned cat in a carrier at the shelter's door during the Christmas holidayswithout prior warning or explanation. Situations like this reflect the extent to which there is still work to be done in terms of awareness and responsibility towards felines.
That's why the hostel staff insist that Animals are not given as surprise gifts The adoption process involves a questionnaire and a detailed assessment of each family. The idea is that whoever adopts a cat truly commits to the task, both in terms of time and financial resources, and doesn't see it as something temporary, subject to trends or special occasions.
In Sa Coma (Ibiza), the beginning of 2026 has been marked by the adoption of the first two cats of the year: Mandarina (renamed Siena) and PiolÃnBoth were found on the street in mid-December and unclaimed, so they became the responsibility of the municipality. After being microchipped and vaccinated, they were put up for adoption and eventually chosen by two young couples.
The Environment Councillor of Ibiza Town Hall, Manu Jiménez, explains that it was decided curb adoptions during Christmas to prevent the animals from being given away as mere giftsThat's why they consider it especially encouraging that, just after reopening applications, two adoptions were finalized in a single afternoon, a sign that there is a real and well-considered demand for companion cats.
Jiménez also recalls that in the center They usually house around 40 cats, while the total occupancy is around 90%.Their priority is to also find homes for animals that have been in captivity longer or that seem to have fewer options at first glance, such as adult cats or those with disabilities. One of the measures to boost adoptions has been to eliminate the adoption fee, so that no one can use financial reasons as an excuse.
According to the councilman, the basic criterion is that Families should take the time to get to know the cat well before adopting.Not all animals adapt to all homes, and aspects such as living with other animals or with children can make the difference between a successful adoption and a traumatic return for the feline.
Feline colonies, the TNR method, and responsible adoption
The improvement in cat adoption figures goes hand in hand, in many cities, with a more professionalized management of feline colonies through the TNR methodAssociations like MascoTomares, in the province of Seville, have been demonstrating for years that the combination of capture, sterilization and return, along with the adoption of sociable cats, is a viable formula to reduce the number of felines on the street and improve their quality of life.
This organization, which has accumulated a decade of continuous work, explains that Controlled feline colonies are not spaces of hidden abandonment.but rather places where cats receive food, supervision, and basic veterinary care thanks to coordination between volunteers and the City Council. Systematic sterilization prevents uncontrolled litters and reduces neighborhood conflicts.
At the same time, the association sends a clear message: Not all colony cats are adoptableSome cats, accustomed to life on the streets and with a very independent nature, can suffer greatly if forced to live in an apartment. Therefore, they recommend that anyone wanting to adopt a cat contact the organization, which can advise on the animal best suited to each type of home.
On a daily basis, the work in these colonies includes Captures for sterilization, transfers to the veterinarian, follow-up and rescue of domestic cats that have been abandonedIn these latter cases, the animals usually have little chance of surviving on the street, so priority is given to placing them in foster homes or shelters where they can be prepared for adoption.
The experience of MascoTomares and other similar groups aligns with the message repeated by many animal shelters: Adopting a cat is an act of affection, but above all, a long-term commitment.Taking the time to reflect, learn about the needs of felines, and assess the stability of the home is key to ensuring that the adoption does not turn into another abandonment months later.
Adoptions of older cats: the European push for senior felines
While local programs are being strengthened in Spain, They are also growing in Europe initiatives that seek to facilitate the adoption of cats with fewer opportunitiesespecially elderly ones. This is the case of the French Foundation 30 Millions d'Amis, which has maintained the so-called "Operation Doyens" for years, a project focused on senior animals.
As of January 1, 2026, this foundation covers part of the veterinary expenses for adoptions of cats and dogs aged 10 years or older The donations come from their partner animal shelters, with a limit of up to €1.000 per animal. The goal is clear: to overcome one of the main barriers many families face when considering adopting an older cat—the potential medium-term veterinary costs.
With this aid, the organization intends Encourage adopters to look beyond puppies and young catsThey are committed to animals that often spend months or years ignored in shelters despite having a loving and calm nature. Stories like that of Youna, a cat adopted at 15 years old, demonstrate that these felines can integrate perfectly into a home and enjoy a good quality of life.
The data from "Operation Doyens" shows its impact: In 2025, 2.066 older animals were relocated, of which 774 were cats.This is compared to just over 1.500 senior adoptions the previous year. Furthermore, the number of participating animal shelters has increased from 120 in 2019 to 166 currently, thus broadening the program's reach.
This type of initiatives This sets a precedent for other European countries, including Spain.Animal shelters are also starting to give more visibility to senior cats. Adopting a senior feline requires some preparation and a realistic expectation about its health, but in return, it offers a peaceful and very rewarding life together.
Individual cases that put a face to feline adoptions
Along with the overall figures, Individual stories help to understand the real impact of cat adoptionsCases like that of Tika, a black and white cat born in June 2000, illustrate the extent to which these decisions can change the course of a feline's life.
Tika was rescued as a very young child from a colony where she was in danger of being run over and She has spent virtually her entire life in a home, well cared for and protectedNow, due to reasons beyond her control, her guardian can no longer care for her, and the cat is forced to look for a new family when she was already fully adapted to domestic life.
Despite his advanced age, he describes himself as a calm, affectionate companion who is used to human interactionShe is able to live with other cats and even dogs if the environment is calm. She is spayed, dewormed, and her health is under control, and the association that manages her is looking for a responsible home with screened windows and offers to monitor her adjustment.
Stories like Tika's remind us that Cat adoptions are not limited to kittens or animals newly arrived at a shelter.Often, they involve offering a second chance to felines who have lost everything in the middle or at the end of their lives, and whose well-being depends largely on finding a home where they can feel safe again.
In other cases, such as that of families who go to protection centers expressly seeking to the cat with the least chance of being adoptedThis demonstrates that there is also a segment of the public willing to take on greater challenges to change the fate of these animals. It is a minority trend, but one that is gradually gaining traction and complementing the more general campaigns.
Between progress and challenges: towards more responsible cat adoptions
The picture painted by all these examples is complex: Cat adoptions are on the rise, municipal programs are being strengthened, and volunteer involvement is increasing.But at the same time, old problems persist, such as abandonment, unwanted litters, and impulsive decisions that end in returns.
Cities like Xà tiva and Zaragoza show that the combination of technical management (CER method, sterilizations, colony control) and well-designed awareness campaigns This could translate into a significant increase in adopted cats. At the same time, shelters like those in Gijón and Sa Coma, and associations like MascoTomares, insist that the key is to properly finalize each adoption, avoiding treating animals as disposable objects.
European experience with projects like "Operation Doyens" points to New ways to boost the adoption of cats with fewer opportunities, especially older catsreducing the weight of the economic factor in families' decisions. And individual cases, from the first cats adopted this year in Ibiza to veteran felines like Tika, put a face to a reality that goes far beyond statistics.
Cat adoptions are becoming an essential part of animal welfare policies in Spain and other European countries.provided they are accompanied by education, institutional support and a citizenry willing to assume the responsibility that comes with living with a feline throughout their life.
