Winter is coming and that means it’s more difficult for stray or abandoned animals to find food to survive the cold. This prompts many to want to do more to help and leave food out, particularly for stray cats.
While feeding abandoned animals may seem perfectly harmless and many people do it, there are particular rules and legislations around it in Spain that you should be aware of.
It’s not common to see stray cats in some parts of Spain like it is in Greece for example, particularly in larger cities. This is partly because they’re mostly kept house pets and so can’t get out on their own so much to breed. There tend to be more stay cats though in places such as Andalusia, the Balearics and the Canary Islands.
READ ALSO: What cat owners need to know about Spain’s animal welfare law
Cities like Madrid and Barcelona, however, do have stray cat colonies, even though you don’t see many out on the streets. In Barcelona for example, there several colonies on MontjuĂ¯c hill, while in Madrid many can be found in El Parque del Buen Retiro.Â
According to Sergio GarcĂa, Director General of Animal Rights, Spain’s Animal Welfare Law does not explicitly prohibit feeding animals in the street.
Local councils though do have regulations on this matter. For example, in Madrid, the Ordinance Regulating the Keeping and Protection of Animals prohibits feeding abandoned or stray animals if this could cause nuisance, harm, or unsanitary conditions.
In Barcelona, feeding stray animals is allowed, as long as it doesn’t make a mess in public places.
READ ALSO: What to do if you find an abandoned dog or cat in Spain
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According to the Animal Welfare Act, local councils are responsible for managing stray cat colonies in Spain using the TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) method. This allows for the control of the stray cat population and ensures their well-being without causing them harm.
Only those with a special permit or authorisation are allowed to feed cat colonies in Spain, but it’s always possible to put yourself forward as a volunteer to do so.
If you’re interested, you should contact your local town or city council and find out what programmes and groups they have in your area.
In Barcelona for example, you can join the Cats Barcelona Facebook group where you can connect with other volunteers and find out how to help.
In MĂ¡laga, there’s the MĂ¡laga Felina Association you can contact, which helps organise volunteers to look after stray cats across the province.Â
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If you decide to feed cats without authorisation, you could face fines in some cities if you are deemed to be disrupting colony management protocols or causing a public health hazard. Penalties vary depending on local regulations.
If you see a cat in poor condition or hungry out on the streets in Spain, it’s best notify the authorities, an animal shelter or volunteer group, so they can help advise on the correct method of action in accordance with the local rules.
