Portal de Alhama de Murcia
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The Councilor for Animal Welfare, Antonio Espinosa, explained today, together with the veterinarian Ángel Roa, the new contract for the follow-up and maintenance service for hygiene and sanitation and population control of feral cat colonies in the municipality of Alhama through the CES program . This method, launched by the City Council for the first time in 2019, consists of catching, sterilizing (as a method to avoid uncontrolled reproduction of animals) and releasing stray cats.
All this in compliance with Law 6/2017, of November 8, on the protection and defense of companion animals in the Region of Murcia, which states that the municipalities will take the necessary measures to ensure that their municipalities do not there is a proliferation of abandoned or lost animals. Last year, a hundred cats were treated, a figure similar to that expected in 2020, with a similar budget: 18,000 euros. In Alhama, more than a dozen stable colonies of feral cats have been detected, which are captured, sterilized and released through the Alhama Veterinary Center.
In addition, each specimen is dewormed, the microchip is implanted and a file is made for its population control.The service will now count on the collaboration of the Engatúsate Alhama association, formed by a group of neighbors involved in the well-being of the feline colonies that inhabit the town, to address the best capture and release procedures, as well as the adoption of animals socialized and dissemination of the actions carried out.Thus, the objectives of the service are the promotion of the protection and well-being of cats in the municipality, the establishment of control measures, the improvement of the sustainability and coexistence of these animals in their relations with the inhabitants of Alhama, and prevention of health and safety problems derived from the presence of feral cats.How does the CES program work?1.
Location and characterization of the existing feral cat populations in the municipality.2.
Catch the cats.3.
General health recognition.4.
Sterilization of males and females.5.
Internal and external deworming.6 Euthanasia, always in accordance with the provisions of Law 6/2017.
In your case, euthanasia must include the incineration of the animal.7.
Census of each animal (description, health status, place of collection, place of release, photograph and any other data that helps its identification).
Each animal will have its own identification card.8.
Marking on the ear, differentiating males from females.9.
Microchip installation.10.
Let go of the cats.11.
Subsequent control.The system begins by placing capture trap cages in the late evening hours, where once locked, the cats are transferred to the veterinary center to carry out the process of sterilization (surgery), microchipping, deworming and marking.
After the process they are returned to the capture area. "CES began to be carried out many years ago in large cities such as London, Paris or New York.
At first, what was done was to capture and slaughter, but after years and studies they realized that with this technique cats were not eliminated , but other animals occupied that space, "says Roa. "Alhama is one of the few municipalities that has the CES method in place and, furthermore, with a very high budget item," explained councilman Espinoa.Studies indicate that the successful percentage for the control of this species is over 70% of sterilizations, since from there the population of stray cats stabilizes.
The importance of feral cats is also determined by their population control of other animals, such as small mammals, insects, and other cats.Regarding the feeding of these animals, Roa has pointed out that, in case they want to feed them, contact the veterinary clinic or the City Council to give them guidelines on how to proceed correctly, emphasizing the use of dry food (I think), in no case humid or food remains that lead to putrefaction, insects and other types of animals.
In addition, it must be put on and removed to avoid the attraction of rodents and other animals.The City Council and a veterinarian have appealed to the population to reduce the number of abandoned animals, in addition to carrying out population control through sterilization.
Councilor Antonio Espinosa has also recalled that it is forbidden to put poison on public roads, since it can affect our pets and indigenous species, generating a biodiversity problem, punishable with high penalties.
Source: Ayuntamiento de Alhama de Murcia
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