The presence of stray cats It is becoming a daily challenge in many municipalities, where animal protection, public health, and neighborhood coexist. In Spain, the response is being articulated around the CER (capture, sterilize, and return) method, with increasingly structured regulations, censuses and volunteering.
While some councils exhibit mature plans with data and costs, others are calling for infrastructure such as shelters and protected colonies for complex cases. This push is joined by unusual initiatives in Europe, such as those in Amsterdam, which adapt the urban environment to reduce risks to felines without breaking the balance with heritage.
Barakaldo: Overflowing neighborhoods and a request for their own shelter
In Barakaldo, with more than 100.000 inhabitants, it is estimated that more than 800 cats roam around between urban and rural areas, a sample of how cats live in the street. A hundred colonies, served by volunteering for the Lagunak association (active since 2017), tries to sustain their care through actions on how to help stray cats despite the saturation.
The collective estimates around 700 specimens counted and denounces the lack of sterilization in rural areas, along with the shortage of shelters, many with indefinite stays exceeding three years. Therefore, they are once again demanding a municipal shelter accessible and, in addition, a protected space to relocate unsociable felines to a safe area.
The City Council contributes feed, captures, sterilizations and microchip identification, but Lagunak reports attacks on colonies and damage to facilities, especially in areas such as Cruces and Llano. At the same time, they are keeping more than 40 cats waiting for family.
Another option being considered is to take advantage of a inheritance destined for animal welfare to promote projects such as a cat nursery or a garden for these animals, prioritizing - according to those who knew the donor - the creation of a municipal shelter stable for those who are homeless.
Valladolid: data, health control, and training of feeders
El municipal feline management plan of Valladolid, in force since the summer of 2021, has registered 161 colonies with a 1.800 cats, and another thirty are in the process of legalization. Almost half of the colonies have all its members sterilized and wormed, and eight out of ten identified animals are considered already controlled.
The basis of the program is the microchip identification, health monitoring and sterilizationAccording to the City Council, the evolution has gone from a high number of sick felines to colonies visibly healthier and better cared for environments.
Most regulated colonies are located in private land (83), where the City Council collaborates with volunteers; in municipal land There are 48 colonies with 580 cats and six more awaiting authorization. Among the largest are 'Royal Coffers' (38 cats), 'Arturo Eyries 2' (35) and 'Colonia Azaña' (34). In process, the following stand out: 'The Night Watch' (34), next to 'Colonia Marina' (23) and 'Estadio' (17).
To authorize a new colony on a public road, a permit is required. application with location, feeding points, distribution by sex and responsible caregivers. After the municipal veterinary review and with at least the 80% vaccinated, dewormed and sterilized, its final authorization is decided.
Whoever manages a colony must have feeder card, linked to the CER method. Currently there are 294 accredited people, following free training provided by associations and municipal veterinary staff. The credential, which was previously valid for life, is now valid for two or three years.
The council estimates a annual cost of 78.000 euros for colony management, including 20.000 euros in subsidies, veterinary work and staff. In 2024, a new one was added administrative assistant dedicated to systematizing and computerizing data and channeling incidents with shelters and citizens.
Among the complaints from the neighbors are: bad smells, excrement, access to unauthorized properties or feeds, in addition to possible impacts on biodiversity. For their part, colony caretakers must remove wet food scraps, clean daily, maintain water and feed in discreet containers and collaborate in mediation with the neighborhood.
Cuenca and Belmonte: CER in small municipalities and demand for aid
The Cuenca Provincial Council promotes the control of feline colonies through GEACAM, contracted with state funds, to apply the CER in the municipalities that joined the call for proposals 2025. In towns like Belmonte, work is done to maintain or reduce reproduction, putting emphasis on neighborhood collaboration.
The mayor of Belmonte demands more direct financial aid so that each city council can decide how to invest them, as well as campaigns so that owners can sterilize and chip at reduced prices. It points out that the obligation to identify the community cats clashes with the lack of resources in small councils.
Gran Canaria: abandonment, coordination and continuity of the CER
From San Bartolomé de Tirajana, activists emphasize that the abandonment of animals continues to feed colonies and cases of sociable cats that end up on the street. Although the Animal Welfare Law is in force, the unequal municipal application and stoppages in sterilizations which set back progress in volunteering.
Different examples are cited: there are municipalities that they do not manage colonies claiming the natural environment and others that accumulate more than 500 sterilizations so far this year. Better is also being asked for island coordination to prioritize ongoing CER programs and avoid wasteful expenditure.
Public awareness is supported by days and activities solidarity, in addition to open doors in municipal centers, in order to promote adoptions and strengthen the network of foster homes and volunteers.
Sagunto: Green light for a shelter and debate on the model
The Sagunt plenary session unanimously approved the construction of a feline shelter and the request for aid from other administrations, in compliance with a project of participatory budgeting endowed with 75.000 euros.
The Health Department lists recent advances: management regulations, census improvement, adaptation of the CER plan to regulations, veterinary and volunteer program, and the appointment of a guardian agent. As an immediate measure, the council plans to install cat houses at specific points in the municipality.
The opposition is demanding a major effort and it is questioned whether the booths are the definitive solution to a shelter understood as reception space for extreme situations. It is also called for speeding up the coordination with associations and authorizations, taking into account recent experiences.
Lugo: Protectors on the edge ask for support
Collectives such as Michos from Lugo They warn of complicated months due to the colony saturation and the lack of resources, despite the push from volunteering. These organizations are asking for more stable support, including guides on How to help feral cats, to support sterilizations, food and veterinary care.
Amsterdam: Canal ladders to prevent drowning
The Dutch capital will install wooden stairs in strategic sections of its channels, with an investment of 100.000 Euros, so that felines that fall into the water find an escape route in stone walls with no natural exits.
The measure, inspired by Amersfoort (NL) —which placed 300 similar structures—, aims to reduce deaths from drowning and benefit other urban species, discreetly integrating into an environment of high heritage value.
This type of solutions introduces the animal welfare in the design of the city and opens the door for other cities with waterways to adopt simple adaptations for wildlife.
The panorama shows that, with stable CER programs, training, data and resources, feline colonies can be better managed: some municipalities are already showing results, others are looking for shelters and more funding, and innovative urban initiatives are paving the way to protect the stray cats without neglecting coexistence.
