The Mairena del Alcor Town Hall reminds that managing cat colonies requires express authorisation and merely submitting an application is not sufficient. Councillor Ana María Guillén clarifies the rules of the CER programme.
The Mairena del Alcor Town Hall has issued a statement directed at caregivers and collaborators of cat colonies to clarify the requirements of the municipal ethical management programme. The Councillor for the Environment, Ana María Guillén, emphasises that participation in the programme requires express authorisation from the council, and that merely submitting the application does not grant the status of an authorised person.
The authorisation is granted for specific colonies, not in a general manner. Those wishing to collaborate in a colony for which they do not yet have permission must submit Annexes I and II of the Municipal Ordinance for the Control of Cat Colonies, which include the application for authorisation and the commitment to ethical management. The Town Hall will assess compliance with the requirements before issuing a resolution.
The statement also informs that the council is working on the implementation of authorised feeding points. These will be located in places that ensure animal welfare and minimise neighbourhood disturbances, according to Article 14 of the ordinance. If the location is on private land, permission from the owner will be required.
While the authorisation of the feeding points is completed, feeding must be done using the 'remove and replace' system, preferably at night or during times of lower foot traffic, removing containers and food scraps afterwards. Maintaining a container with clean water is allowed, especially during hot periods, as long as it does not cause health or coexistence issues.
The Town Hall appreciates the work of volunteers and clarifies that these measures aim to organise the CER programme (Capture, Sterilisation, and Return) so that it is compatible with animal protection, public health, and community coexistence. Ana María Guillén insists that collaboration must occur within the established municipal organisational framework.
For the residents of Mairena del Alcor, this regulation implies that one cannot act in any colony without permission. Those already collaborating in an authorised colony may continue to do so, but to expand their work to another colony, they must request a new authorisation. New volunteers must process the annexes through the municipal registry.
The Town Hall anticipates that the implementation of the authorised feeding points will be completed in the coming months. Until then, caregivers are advised to follow the transitional guidelines to avoid penalties. The municipal ordinance states that non-compliance with these rules may result in disciplinary measures.
This initiative is part of the council's strategy to manage cat colonies ethically and sustainably, reducing the population through sterilisation and ensuring the welfare of community cats. The councillor encourages citizens to participate actively, but always within the established administrative channels.
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