CAT COLONIES CONTROL

AND PUBLIC HEALTH

CONTROLLED COLONIES

Reproductive control by means of TNR programmes (trap-neuter-return) is the

solution supported by numerous research studies and it represents a good policy

for controlling the cat population from the point of view of public health and

animal welfare. It complements other measures to encourage responsible

ownership.

Neutered cat colonies can be beneficial as they play an important role in rodent

control.

However, the presence of cats in urban areas without responsible control can be

harmful to the welfare of animals and to a healthy environment.

SANITARY CONDITIONS

Besides improving the sanitary conditions of the colonies themselves, TNR

improves the environment by reducing the noise and smell which can result from

the behaviour of unsterilized cats.

Regular worming of a controlled colony and regular cleaning of the area also

improves sanitary conditions.

TRANSMISSION OF DISEASES

Most diseases affecting cats are only transmitted between cats, not from cats to

people. We are much more exposed to infections in a shopping centre than in the

presence of cats.

Cats living in colonies avoid direct human contact, which also minimizes the risk of

infection through scratches or bites. This is the reason why controlled cat colonies

represent a lower risk for public health than domestic cats.

Even vets or caretakers of cats in colonies, who gain the trust of cats and can even

stroke them, do not significantly suffer from pains or illnesses deriving from cats.

As regards toxoplasmosis, statistically, cat owners are no more at risk of catching

the illness than non-owners. Scientific evidence shows that infection from cats to

people is highly unlikely when following basic hygiene. Furthermore, cats are

carriers if they themselves eat infected raw meat; therefore the risk is minimal if

they are only fed with processed cat food. Humane infection normally has no

relation with ownership or contact with cats but from eating undercooked meat or

unwashed vegetables. For further details, please see the information made

available by GEMFE (AVEPA).

SOCIAL ASPECTS AND BENEFITS

Many scientific studies show that observing and taking care of animals have

physical and psychological benefits for human beings. Therefore, the relationship

between people and dogs or cats, as popular companion animals, have a positive

effect on public health. For further information, please see the Fundación Affinity

website.

FREE-ROAMING DOMESTIC CATS

In neighbourhoods where domestic cats roam freely outdoors it is essential that

owners take responsibility for neutering them. It is joint action regarding all the

cats in an area which produces the best results.

Photographs: neutered cats in colonies within the framework of Proyecto CES of the City Council of

Zaragoza, courtesy of the photographers Pilar Pérez Pelegay and Raimundo Ponz.

Increasing animal protection follows a growing public awareness

and is included in European, national, regional and municipal

regulations.

ZARAGOZA CITY COUNCIL

ANIMAL PROTECTION OFFICE

Edificio ambiental del Ebro

Plaza Europa 1-3, 50003 Zaragoza

Tel: 976 723 991. E-mail: proteccionanimal@zaragoza.es