Their appearance does not always reflect the reality of their daily lives. Some street cats (gatos callejeros) are lucky enough to have caretakers who look after them and provide them with food. Others, less fortunate, are left to fend for themselves and can often be seen rummaging through garbage bags in search of food.
Better Days for Street Cats?
With 300,000 pets abandoned across Spain each year, street cats are a common sight throughout the country. While animal welfare legislation was tightened in 2023, including increased penalties, it remains to be seen if this will improve the situation.
One attempt to take back control is through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). Although considered a more humane method, it has been criticized for some unwanted side effects. It reassures owners considering abandoning their pet that it is less likely to be harmed, thus reducing the burden of giving up their pet.
Overall, traditional re-homing through adoption appears to be the most effective method of controlling stray pet populations. There are several non-profit animal welfare organizations in Spain that offer rescued animals for adoption.
