Spain protests demand enforcement of animal welfare law for cats

Protesters across approximately 38 cities in Spain have organized simultaneous demonstrations to demand the enforcement of Law 7/2023 on the Protection of the Rights and Welfare of Animals. The movement, led by the platform ‘Los Gatos Tienen Ley’, focuses on the management of community feline colonies.

Activists argue that while the law mandates local authorities to manage community cats through sterilization, identification, and veterinary care, the responsibility has shifted to volunteers. These individuals often pay for food, medical treatments, and sterilization out of their own pockets. Organizers are calling for the implementation of the CER (Capture, Sterilize, and Return) method and more stable municipal resources to prevent volunteer burnout.

While most protests focused on the lack of public funding and administrative negligence, some municipalities have taken action. For example, Alcalá de Guadaíra approved a contract for approximately 244,558 euros to manage feline colonies and animal welfare services using the CER method.