Sounds familiar? For the associations and shelters dealing with the ever-increasing feral cat problem, this is a reality. The battlefields, or cat colonies, are where the fight is taking place. Annual subsidies and grants notwithstanding, there is little room left for financing the heavy costs of maintaining the vast feral cat colonies across Portugal.
According to the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), in 2025 there were approximately 930,000 free roaming animals, amongst which were 830,541 cats and 101,015 dogs. Statistics show that while 92% of the dog-owning population care where their dogs roam, only a meagre 20% of cat owners care where their felines are. And most are unchipped and unsterilised.
Authorities, even at local level, despair at the numbers which increase despite the help of private associations and shelters.
Jenny Clarke, president of the Association for Protection of Animals Algarve (APAA), has more than her fair share of criticism. “It works both ways!” She is disturbed at the sometimes-hostile approach by the local authorities at veterinary level. “Our standard identifying sterilisation marker is a clipped ear. As it so happens, it is almost internationally accepted.” There have been other attempts, like tattooing and colour coding. “But with colonies of cats, squidgy and squirming in groups, curled or waiting to pounce, the markers are ineffectual. Alert twitching pointy ears are easily identifiable.” Photographs are often used to identify groups of cats to pinpoint those needing sterilisation.
APAA’s SNiP (Spaying & Neutering Programme) has raised a lot of money through events, their charity shops and donations. “But it is never, ever enough. The costs don’t go down; they increase like everything else. Although we have good vets who are prepared to offer special ‘deals’ for us, we cannot always expect that from everyone.”
Accusations have been made by ‘locals’ that shelters and associations force or kidnap abandoned animals against their will, in order to carry out the sterilisation required. “One café owner has just asked us to trap around 30 cats, all of which need sterilisation. He probably started with about six cats to keep the vermin at bay!”
TNR (Trapping, Neutering & Returning) has an important role within communities. If you are able to help, we need you – anytime! Interested? Training given. Join us and our events.
APAA charity shops
- Alvor: Dunas de Alvor: Mon-Sat, 10.30am-2pm
- Silves: Rua Elias Garcia 20, Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm (Sat 1pm)
Real bargains! Books, gifts, handmade jewellery, ornaments, homemade chutneys, jams, marmalades, pickles and cookies. Glassware, dinner services, cutlery. Everything you need for your home or rental. Spoil yourself! All proceeds raised for SNiP (animal sterilisation) and abandoned animals. Having a clear-out? Think APAA.
Jackie’s lunches & all events: events.apaaportugal@gmail.com
Pets: info.apaaportugal@gmail.com – Pet Plan ‘Legacy’ mark for Anita
Please check out APAA’s Facebook!
