Card to feed stray cats?

If you feed stray cats, they will probably end up asking for the feeder card. This is a proposal that It begins to be carried out in some towns in Spain such as Torrevieja (Alicante) or El Vendrell (from Baix Penedès in Catalonia), in order to avoid penalties and problems.

Unfortunately, there are many provinces that are prohibited from feeding stray cats, imposing fines on those who are dedicated to caring for them. However, With this card you can continue to do so without having to run any risk.

What is the cat feeder card for?

Who else who least knows that the stray cats that live in cities or even in the towns do not have anything easy to move forward. There are many dangers that they must overcome on a daily basis if they want to survive, and I am not only referring to cars, but also to people who harm or poison them, to fights with other animals, to cold or heat, to abandonment,…

Fortunately, many volunteers care for them and feed them. But they have a problem: in many towns and cities it is forbidden to feed these cats, and in many others they can only do it in certain places.

With this in mind, the cat feeder card is undoubtedly a brilliant idea, because on the one hand allows volunteers to take care of felines legallyOn the other hand, it is also useful for municipalities - and their caretakers, especially - to know how many cats this colony is made up of and where it is found.

What requirements must be met in order to request it?

Not many, actually: to be able to request it You must be of legal age, be registered in the city or town, and have not been penalized for violating the regulations regarding animal matters.. Then, you just have to go to the town hall of a town where this new measure has been implemented, and there they will take your data and give you the card.

At the moment it can only be obtained in the provinces of Malaga, Valencia, Lleida and Tarragona, but it is to be expected that more municipalities will join this initiative.

What kind of food can you give them?

Previously, and still today, stray cats are usually given any type of food (dry or wet), thus being able to have complaints from neighbors due to the dirt that can accumulate. But to be a holder of the card you can only give them dry food.

In addition, if the cats go to an enclosure (such as a farm or an abandoned building), it is necessary to keep it clean, that is, they will have to remove the stools and clean the feeders / drinkers daily.

How to choose feeders for stray cats?

Stray cats are cats after all. They have whiskers, often long, and so I recommend that the feeders be as wide as possible. In this way, they will not feel uncomfortable at any time, which can help them eat more eagerly.

And no, you don't need to buy cat feeders as such. The dishes that are used to put under the pots are ideal for them, since they are short and with an interesting diameter.

Besides, we can't stop talking about the price: while a medium-quality feeder can cost about 5 euros, a simple pot plate in any store where they sell everything can cost less than 1 euro.

Choose those that are plastic or stainless steel, and wash them daily, especially if you have them outside all day. Just in case.

Cats safety while eating

It is very important that feeders are in a safe place, for example, among small trees, or better yet, inside a shed or some place like that whose owner has given you permission.

If you have furry animals in the garden, do not hesitate to make them a house, either made of blocks, or to buy them one. house for cats.

Related article:

How to help stray cats

Is it a crime to feed stray cats?

Should not. What happens is that there is an overpopulation of cats, and today it is still believed that letting them die of hunger or taking them to sacrifice, will solve the problem. And certainly not.

It has been shown that castration (that is, the removal of the reproductive organs) of both female cats and cats helps much more to reduce the feline population, and incidentally, to ensure that these animals have a better quality of life. When they are sacrificed, what happens in a matter of a short time is that new cats appear that fill that 'void'.

The Protectors with which an agreement has been reached to give these special cards They are also dedicated to the identification and control of the colonies, to carry out castration campaigns to avoid that more cats end up living on the street, and, ultimately, that these furry have a good quality of life.

However, you have to know that If those cats go to your garage or your garden, or to that of a friend or relative who does not dislike these animals, even if you live in an area where it is forbidden, nobody can tell you anything, because those furry go to a private property. Another very different thing would be for you to feed them on the public highway; then yes they could sanction you unless they gave the cat feeder card.

How to help stray cats?

Wild cats or stray cats: We have many names for the mysterious felines that we sometimes see peeking out from under our porch or jumping into abandoned buildings. However, most of them share only one destiny: short and difficult lives. Fortunately, helping wild or abandoned cats is not difficult. And you can do your bit.

How the problem of wild cats multiplies

First, what is a feral or stray cat? A feral or stray cat is “any cat that is too badly socialized to be controlled. Also it cannot be housed in a typical pet home. They are usually descendants of cats that were lost or abandoned by their owners, and grow up not socialized with humans.

Because a cat can get pregnant from 16 weeks of age and have two or three litters a yearAs the feral cat population and the problems associated with it grow and perpetuate.

The life and health of stray and wild cats

Stray cats often live out in the open, dodge cars, and eat out of garbage cans; they have facial infection, illnesses, and an endless cycle of pregnancy. They suffer extremes in treatment and climate. The life of a feral, stray, or abandoned cat is often short, sometimes long, lasting only two or three years.

Of course, feral cats also leave problems at the human door, including loud fighting, odor, urinating to mark territory (also known as "sprayed" or "marked"), flea infestations, and the inevitable breeding it creates. even more unwanted cats. . Many experts agree that one of the best ways to help feral cats and groups of cats, called colonies, is through sterilization programs..

Why Adopting Feral Cats Is Not An Option

Many experts agree that wild feral cats simply they cannot be tamed. They are wild animals, like raccoons and you can take care of them, but without denying them their freedom, taking them to sterilize and deworm them, but later, leaving them back in their home, which is the street.

They tend to stay away from humans, hide during the day, and are very difficult to socialize when adopted. Just like you would never try to control a raccoon, you should never try to keep a wild cat.

But small cats, especially those less than 8 weeks old, can often be socialized. Abandoned and lost cats can also be reintroduced into domestic life. It is adult stray cats that may have the most socialization problems.

How can you tell a stray cat from a wild cat?

Lost or abandoned felines are generally comfortable around people and will often try to live near humans, under porches, or in garages, sheds, or backyards.

We are not talking about neutering cats and then throwing them away. What we are really talking about is managed colonies, with a human feeding the cats, caring for them, providing medical care and shelter. In this way, cat colonies would not be a problem and cats and humans could coexist without having to eliminate cats from the streets.

5 Ways You Can Help Stray and Wild Cats

From small to large, there are many ways to help feral and stray cats. Here are some tips that you can start doing today:

• Don't contribute to the problem. It goes without saying that you should spay and neuter your own cats. You also need to keep your cats indoors, not only for their safety, but also to prevent them from getting lost and becoming part of a wild colony.
• Don't feed and forget the wild cats. Feeding stray and feral cats is generous, but they also need medical attention. If you can't manage ongoing care, at least spay the cat.
• A little bit of money. With a little money you can help cats a lot, for spaying or neutering. Donating money to animal centers or cat associations will help them help cats more each day. You can also donate money to animal welfare groups through an inheritance or will.
• Volunteer your time. Associations are often run by non-profit organizations that depend on volunteer help. If you can't help out in a clinical setting, you can get involved at the community level, contacting local veterinarians and businesses, writing letters, raising funds, or hiring a booth at a community event.
• Become a colony keeper. In a managed colony, cats can live between 12 and 16 years. If you think you can provide ongoing shelter, food, or medical care to a group of stray cats, contact an animal welfare group to find out how to get started. But before you do, understand that committing to caring for a colony is a huge responsibility. The colony will depend on you, as would a house cat. If you are leaving or moving, it is vital that you find someone else to care for the cats in your absence.

As part of living in a civilized society, it is our obligation to care for the weak, sick or powerless. Our responsibility includes our pets, whom we take from nature and depend on us.

With all this, we want to say that for the care of stray cats, deworming, sterilization, shelter, food and medical care are essential. You can ensure that a colony of cats can live happily for many years. As long as you commit to their care and that nothing happens to them. These cats will love you as if they were a domestic animal ... even if they prefer to live in freedom.