Citizen collaboration, key to protecting cats

Madrid, (EFEverde) - During 2023, 785 animals were abandoned every day in Spain, a figure similar to the previous year and reflecting that the number of dogs and cats taken in by shelters has remained stable in recent years, according to the latest 2024 report prepared by the Affinity Foundation.

Of the 286,000 cats and dogs collected by shelters during 2023, 115,000 are cats, representing 40% of the total. Of these, 49% are adopted, 16% remain in foster homes, 15% in shelters, and 12% die.

Most of the cats that are rescued are mixed breed, as only 7% of those found are purebred. Of the abandoned cats, 15% are due to unwanted litters, a similar figure to the loss of interest in the animal, whose abandonment rate is 13%.

In the case of unwanted litters, there is an increase in these during the spring months, where unspayed cats grow up in feline colonies, which can cause health problems for these felines.

The role of animal shelters and local government

Animal shelters play a fundamental role in the fight against animal abandonment. According to Law 7/2023 on the protection of animal rights and welfare, they are therefore required to ensure that cats are sterilized prior to adoption, or to sign a commitment to sterilization or non-reproduction if the animal is not old enough or in sufficient condition to do so.

The local government is the body responsible for managing community cats and, therefore, must develop Feline Colony Management Programs that promote citizen collaboration as well as that of Feline Colony Management entities duly registered in the Registry of Animal Protection Entities for the implementation and development of Feline Colony Management Programs, among other aspects.

How can we improve the lives of these felines?

From April 28th to May 3rd, KIWOKO will be collecting cans of food at its physical stores from anyone who wishes to donate these products to feed thousands of abandoned cats on the streets of cities and towns across Spain. These wet foods will go to animal shelters and associations working on the ground with stray cats.

“Behind every can that is donated, there is a cat that will not go hungry and a volunteer who feels supported,” says Caroline Arrú, Co-sponsor of the ESG Committee and Chief Marketing and Customer Officer of KIWOKO

KIWOKO's "No Cat Without a Can" initiative is in its second edition this year, having collected up to 2,506 kg of food and 8,084 cans during the 2024 campaign.

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