Cartagena rescues 24 cats from cramped cages in abandoned building

On Friday night, municipal officials and animal‑protection volunteers in Cartagena rescued 24 cats that had been confined in transport cages inside ruined buildings in the La Asomada neighbourhood. Some cages held up to six cats, creating extreme overcrowding.

Veterinary checks showed signs of malnutrition and limited mobility in several animals. Twenty cats were placed in foster homes run by local shelters, while the remaining four were taken to the municipal Centre for the Reception and Treatment of Domestic Animals (CATAD). The local councilor for Health and Animal Welfare, Belén Romero, thanked the police, civil protection, the Animur federation and volunteers, and announced that the municipality will strengthen its animal‑protection network. Police have opened an investigation and the animal groups plan to file a complaint with the prosecutor to determine responsibility.