The Cabildo de Tenerife has organized a work table on Animal Protection and Welfare, chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Javier Parrilla, who has announced that the Island Corporation will provide support to those municipalities that want to reinforce the control of cat colonies. “Next year we will launch a subsidy, by competitive bidding, to cover all the municipalities that want to put it into practice, the costs of the CER method (Capture, Sterilization and Return), in accordance with the guidelines proposed by the College of Veterinarians of Tenerife”, explained Javier Parrilla. This subsidy would be added to the 50,000 euros that the Cabildo already allocates to the control and sterilization of feline colonies, through the Ravelo animal shelter, in El Sauzal.
During the work table, which was attended by representatives of 14 municipalities of the Island, of the insular administration, as well as the College of Veterinarians of Tenerife, several common elements of necessity were put on the table, such as the importance of starting new awareness campaigns on the sterilization and identification of cats or the impact generated by colonies on biodiversity and protected natural spaces.
The island official recalled that, according to the College of Veterinarians, only 20% of cats are sterilized, “that is why we must influence this matter. Cats do not have to be on the street, it is not their place and they also pose a danger to public health and protected spaces”.
Javier Parrilla also announced that the Cabildo will study the possibility of creating a space for health care in the neighborhoods.
The meeting also addressed the need for coordination to promote the regulation of dog access to the island’s beaches to meet the current growing demand. The counselor emphasized that “29 of the 31 municipalities on the island have a coast and a beach, so it is reasonable that people who have dogs want to live with them on the beaches.”
In the counselor’s opinion, these spaces must meet a series of hygienic-sanitary conditions, which the Cabildo would finance, such as shaded areas, signage, drinking water supply or bag dispensers. “Pets are part of the family unit, so we believe it is necessary that we adapt our beaches for those who want to go and enjoy the day with their dog.”
