The Chamber of Faro took another step in the area of animal welfare by approving, on September 11th, a collaboration protocol with the Rua Animals Association – Sterilization and Protection of Animals at Risk, another with PRAVI – Support Project for Defenseless Victims , as well as the draft regulation for the care of cat colonies in the Municipality.
According to the municipality, this regulation will now be submitted to a hearing of interested parties and public consultation, through publication in the Diário da República, and proposed for approval by the Municipal Assembly.
Since the opening of the Official Animal Collection Center Faro (CROAF), in January 2023, the Municipality emphasizes that it has been intervening to minimize the number of stray animals in the municipality. «However, there have always been colonies of cats in public spaces, namely made up of animals that do not meet the conditions to be collected at the Collection Center and/or adopted».
Still, the Chamber of Faro recalls that «as long as they are properly controlled and monitored, the existence of these colonies (provided for and validated through law 27/2016, of 23 August) presents some advantages for the environment in which they are located, particularly in terms of combating pests». In this sense, and for public health reasons, capture, sterilization and return (CED) programs for cats must be implemented.
Thus, this regulation aims to “identify and recognize the caretakers of feline colonies, thus being able to help regulate the presence of wild feline colonies, as well as promote the necessary and appropriate conditions for their maintenance, particularly in terms of health and nutrition and well-being. -animal well-being, promoting their sterilization and regulating the location of colonies and acceptable feeding conditions, given the
health and public health requirements»
To this end, the Municipality, through its municipal veterinary service, intends to recognize the activity of informal caregivers of cat colonies existing in the municipality, and reinforce joint work in monitoring and controlling cat colonies, namely through the CED program.
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