The Calvia town council on the Spanish island of Mallorca has taken a significant step forward in addressing the needs of local cat colony with a substantial funding boost. The council has allocated €29,500 to support associations and non-profit organizations that manage feral cat populations throughout the municipality. This represents a 40% increase over previous budgets, with an additional €12,000 being made available to meet growing demands and ensure compliance with Spain’s animal protection laws.
How The Cat Colony Program Works
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The newly allocated funds will cover essential expenses related to managing cat colonies, including trapping, sterilization, and release of feral cats—a process commonly known as TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return). This scientifically proven method has been shown to be the most effective and humane approach to controlling feral cat populations over time.
In addition to sterilization, the funding will support necessary veterinary care for cats within these colonies, addressing both preventive healthcare measures and treatment for injuries or illnesses. By providing comprehensive care for cat colony residents, the program aims to improve the overall welfare of feral cats while reducing their numbers through natural attrition rather than euthanasia.
Organizations wishing to access this funding must submit detailed applications outlining their proposed activities and demonstrating compliance with relevant regulations. Applications are being accepted until April 24 and must be submitted through the council’s online portal. A points-based evaluation system will be used to identify the most feasible projects, ensuring that funds are allocated to initiatives with the greatest potential impact on cat colony management.
Spain’s New Legal Framework for Cat Colony Management
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The funding initiative from Calvia comes in direct response to Spain’s new animal welfare law, which came into effect in late 2023. This legislation has fundamentally changed how municipalities throughout Spain, including those in Mallorca, must approach the management of stray and feral cat populations.
Under the new law, town halls are now legally responsible for the care and management of all stray cats within their jurisdictions. This responsibility includes neutering, microchipping, vaccinating, and providing ongoing care for cat colonies—a significant expansion of municipal obligations regarding animal welfare.
For many smaller municipalities in Mallorca, these new legal requirements present substantial challenges, both logistically and financially. Palma, the largest city on the island, is currently the only town hall with a veterinarian on staff, highlighting the resource constraints faced by smaller communities like Calvia.
“The new legislation places considerable responsibility on local governments,” noted a spokesperson for one of the animal welfare organizations working with cat colonies in Calvia. “This funding increase is essential if we’re to meet these new obligations and improve conditions for the cat colonies in our care.”
The Future of Cat Colony Management in Mallorca
With an estimated thousands of feral cats across Mallorca, the challenge of effective cat colony management remains significant. However, Calvia’s funding initiative represents an important step toward a more structured and humane approach to addressing this issue.
By supporting local organizations with expertise in TNR and colony care, the town council is leveraging existing knowledge and resources rather than attempting to build new systems from scratch. This collaborative approach acknowledges the valuable work already being done by animal welfare groups while providing them with additional resources to expand their efforts.
Looking ahead, the success of this program could serve as a model for other municipalities across Mallorca and beyond, demonstrating how local governments can effectively partner with non-profit organizations to address the challenges of feral cat management in ways that benefit both the animals and the broader community.
