Portugal and Spain Expand Animal Sterilization Programs

Portuguese city officials are extending their Capture‑Esterilize‑Return (CER) scheme, which has already treated 248 community cats from 53 colonies. The program aims to control feral cat populations, reduce territorial aggression, and protect urban biodiversity while returning the animals to their original sites.

In Spain, local authorities are running free pet sterilisation days, vaccinating and neutering dogs and cats that meet health criteria. The campaigns stress pre‑surgery fasting, vaccination records and the reduction of health risks such as mammary tumours in females and testicular cancer in males, while also curbing stray animal numbers.

Both initiatives highlight municipal efforts to improve animal welfare, public health and city ecology through widespread sterilisation.