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Benidorm allocates €20K for sterilisation targeting urban cat colonies

 

The Benidorm City Council is investing €20,000 in its ongoing neutering and spaying campaign for urban stray cat colonies. 

This initiative receives a significant boost from a €12,032.08 grant, as published in the Alicante Provincial Council's Official Gazette on 7th August.

The campaign, a collaborative effort with the Official College of Veterinarians of Alicante, commenced before the summer recess and is set to recommence in September, aiming for completion by 31st October. 

This year, approximately 250 felines will be treated under the programme, as confirmed by Ana Pellicer, the Councilor for Health.Councilor Pellicer elaborated that the programme rigorously applies the proven Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) method, widely acknowledged as both the most effective and humane approach to managing stray cat populations. 

This involves capturing the cats, transporting them to local veterinary practices for sterilisation, and subsequently returning them to their original colonies. Beyond the surgical procedure, all cats undergo a thorough health examination, receive deworming treatment and rabies vaccinations, and are ear-tipped for identification prior to release.

 

A specialist company, engaged by the City Council, manages the entire process of capturing, transporting, and releasing the animals. Crucially, all eight of Benidorm's veterinary clinics actively participate in this annual campaign, their involvement being instrumental to its success.

 

Prior to the programme's implementation, comprehensive fieldwork was undertaken to map existing feline colonies across the municipality. This identified around 42colonies distributed throughout Benidorm, with an estimated population of 1,200 cats.

 

Councilor Pellicer expressed optimism, concluding that "through this sterilisation campaign and complementary measures, we anticipate the stabilisation of urban stray cat populations within a few years".