Orihuela’s Health Department has taken decisive action to manage its growing feral cat population. Since mid-September 2022, the town has sterilized 85 ownerless cats through a targeted campaign. Health Councillor Luis Quesada leads this initiative to prevent uncontrolled reproduction among street cats. The program recognizes that these unsocial felines cannot adapt to indoor living with families.
Instead of removal, the town focuses on humane population control through sterilization. This approach benefits both the cats and the community by reducing future litters while allowing existing colonies to live peacefully. The campaign represents a modern, compassionate solution to urban animal management challenges.
Understanding the Ownerless Cats Challenge
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Orihuela faces a growing population of cats without homes. These animals congregate especially around feeding points throughout the municipality. Unlike abandoned pets, many were born on the streets and never socialized with humans.
The distinction between stray and feral cats matters greatly. Stray cats once lived with people and might readapt to homes. However, truly feral cats fear human contact and cannot transition to indoor life. This reality shapes how communities must approach the issue.
Recent years have seen colony numbers increase significantly. Without intervention, a single pair of cats can produce thousands of descendants. Female cats can have three litters yearly, with four to six kittens each time.
This exponential growth creates problems for everyone. Residents complain about noise, odors, and property damage. Meanwhile, the cats suffer from disease, hunger, and short lifespans. Sterilization offers a humane solution benefiting all parties.
The Sterilization Campaign Details
The Health Department launched its campaign in mid-September 2022. Within weeks, veterinarians had sterilized 85 cats. This impressive number demonstrates the program’s efficiency and community support.
Councillor Luis Quesada emphasizes the campaign’s core objective. By preventing reproduction, the town avoids future population explosions. Sterilized cats also display calmer behavior and better health outcomes.
The process involves trapping cats humanely for veterinary procedures. After sterilization, cats receive medical care and recovery time. Then, they return to their familiar territories. This approach respects the cats’ established social structures.
Speed matters in these campaigns. Quesada notes that completing many sterilizations quickly maximizes impact. Every unsterilized female can produce dozens of kittens annually. Fast action prevents these births.
Benefits Beyond Population Control
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Sterilization provides numerous advantages for ownerless cats themselves. Males no longer fight over territory or mates. This reduces injuries and disease transmission among colonies. Females avoid the stress of constant pregnancies.
Communities notice immediate improvements too. Sterilized colonies make less noise, especially during mating seasons. The infamous nighttime yowling that disturbs residents decreases dramatically. Property damage from territorial marking also declines.
Health benefits extend to public safety. Sterilized cats are less likely to spread diseases. They’re also generally calmer around humans, reducing bite and scratch incidents. This creates safer environments for everyone.
Additionally, stable colony sizes allow for better management. Volunteers can monitor health and provide appropriate care. When populations remain constant, resources stretch further to help existing cats.
Future Plans and Community Involvement
Orihuela isn’t stopping with current efforts. The municipality plans to implement a comprehensive feline colonial plan. This framework will establish guidelines for long-term colony management. It represents a commitment to sustained, humane solutions.
Community participation remains crucial for success. Residents who feed cats should work with authorities. Coordinated efforts ensure cats receive proper nutrition without creating new problems. Education helps people understand why sterilization matters.
The town’s approach aligns with international best practices. Cities worldwide have proven that sterilization programs work. They’re more effective and humane than removal or culling attempts.
By investing in sterilization, Orihuela creates a model for other Spanish municipalities. The 85 ownerless cats already treated represent just the beginning of lasting positive change for animals and humans alike.
