Feeding stray cats and cat colonies (colonias felinas)

Key rules

• Local rules: Whether you may feed strays at all depends on your town, so ask your town hall first.
• Registered volunteers: Feeding is safest and most welcome when you are a registered volunteer in a council-approved colony.
• Neighbours: Food left on the ground is the main cause of complaints, so clear it every time.

The short answer

Do not start feeding street cats on your own. Controlled cat colonies (colonias felinas) are managed by municipalities and registered volunteers. Unmanaged feeding may be restricted or fined, and it often causes conflict with neighbours.

What the rules look like

Rules differ by town and region. Many municipalities ban feeding stray animals in public spaces outside authorised programmes, and their local rules set fines. Others allow feeding only by registered colony managers, at designated points. National animal-welfare law recognises controlled colonies run by authorised people under council oversight.

Before you put out any food, ask your town hall what applies where you live.

How a controlled colony works

Colonies use a method called capture, sterilise, return:

• Cats are trapped.
• A vet sterilises and vaccinates them and clips the tip of one ear, so they are easy to recognise.
• They go back to where they were found.

Registered volunteers, authorised by the council, feed and monitor the cats at set points. The council oversees the registry and may help pay for sterilisation.

How to help legally

1. Ask your council whether a managed colony already operates near you.
2. If it does, contact the people who run it and offer to join.
3. Apply for authorisation and register as a volunteer. Some councils ask for training.
4. Feed only at the points and times the programme gives you.

Steps differ by municipality and region, so follow your council's process.

Avoiding trouble with neighbours

Neighbours often complain about smell, noise, mess, and food on the ground that attracts rats. Cat lovers see it differently, and that is where disputes start.

• Feed only if you are part of the colony programme.
• Use discreet, regular times and places away from homes and doors.
• Clear leftovers every time.
• Never leave food in communal areas.
• Talk to neighbours first. It prevents most disputes.

The checklist, warnings and questions below cover the practical details.

Checklist

• Ask your town hall whether feeding stray animals is banned or fined in public spaces where you live.

• Find out whether your town only allows feeding by registered colony managers at designated points.

• Contact your council to ask whether a managed cat colony (colonia felina) already operates near you.

• Apply for authorisation and register as a volunteer, including any training the council asks for.

Rules differ by town and region, so confirm the details with your town hall before you act.

What to watch out for

• Unregistered feeding can be fined: Many towns ban feeding strays in public spaces outside authorised programmes, and their ordinances set fines. Ask your town hall first, and feed only as a registered colony volunteer.

• Food left out causes neighbour conflict: Neighbours complain about smell, noise, mess and rats drawn by food on the ground. Feed at set times away from homes and doors, clear leftovers and avoid communal areas. Talk to neighbours first.

Frequently asked questions

How do I become a registered colony volunteer?

You contact your town hall, apply for authorisation and register the colony. Many councils also ask you to take a short training course. Steps differ by town and region, so ask the council's animal welfare office what it requires.

What happens to the cats in a controlled colony?

Cats in a controlled colony are trapped, sterilised and vaccinated by a vet, ear-tipped and then returned. Ear-tipping marks them as sterilised. The council may fund the sterilisation.

How can I avoid a dispute with neighbours when feeding cats?

Talk to your neighbours before you start feeding. Use a discreet set time and place away from homes and doors, and clear leftovers each time.