Spain feline colony caregivers protest for law enforcement

Caregivers of community feline colonies in Spain have organized simultaneous demonstrations across 38 locations in the country to demand the effective enforcement of Law 7/2023 on animal protection and welfare. Protesters argue that while the legislation mandates local governments to manage community cats through the Capture, Sterilization, and Return (CER) method, many municipalities have failed to implement these obligations.

Under the current law, local authorities are responsible for the identification, sterilization, census, and healthcare of community cats. However, caregivers report that they continue to personally fund food, veterinary care, and sterilization efforts. While some areas like Logroño are noted for being more advanced in management, activists claim that many local administrations lack the budget or political will to move beyond mere official announcements without providing actual resources or technical support.