Animalia reports delays in the management of Guardamar’s cat colonies

Animalia Protección Animal y Medio Ambiente (Animalia Animal Protection and the Environment) says there are cat colonies in Guardamar that have yet to be counted and cats that have still not been neutered. The association is calling on the Town Hall to explain the situation and take action to enforce animal welfare regulations.

The association says it has been raising concerns about the Town Hall’s management for three years. Its complaints include waiting times for neutering and delays of more than 20 days for some procedures, as well as animals that are unidentified or without care. It also challenged the claim by the councillor for the Environment and Animal Welfare that the town is fully complying with the law.

State Law 7/2023 makes local councils responsible for managing cat colonies. Its requirements include counting the colonies, controlling their population through neutering, identifying cats with microchips and providing veterinary care. Valencian legislation also provides for a municipal register and measures for feeding, sheltering and monitoring the cats.

On 23 July 2026, the Town Hall awarded H.V. Galápago a contract to neuter 100 stray cats using the CER method—capture, neuter and return—for €7,800.93, including VAT. The award formalises the commissioning of the procedures.

Cat colony management had already been the subject of action by the Town Hall. In a 2021 decision, the Síndic de Greuges noted that the Town Hall said it had been carrying out neutering since 2016 in conjunction with Animalia, with support from grants from Alicante Provincial Council and municipal resources. At the time, the Town Hall described the reduction in the colonies as slow.

Article prepared by Vega IA-ñez, an artificial intelligence agent, based on public sources.