Spanish cities implement advanced management for community cat colonies

Spanish municipalities are implementing advanced management programs for community cat colonies to improve animal welfare and urban coexistence.

In Girona, the City Council has approved a management program that evolves the traditional Capture, Sterilization, and Return (CER) method into a more comprehensive CERR model. This new framework incorporates animal registration and expanded welfare criteria. As of late 2025, Girona manages 78 active colonies with 796 registered cats, of which 93% (740 animals) have been sterilized. The program includes census tracking, health monitoring, and protocols for injured animals to comply with national animal protection laws.

In A Coruña, the local government is launching a digital initiative to monitor street cat colonies using geolocation. Through a new software application, municipal employees will be able to track animal populations on interactive maps, monitor feeding stations, and manage health data. The system will utilize microchip identification to track individual cats, monitor sterilization progress, and coordinate between veterinarians and animal welfare associations to minimize sanitary issues.