Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Convert Former School Into Stray Cat Center

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is rethinking how it manages urban wildlife by repurposing unused public buildings. According to El Día, the city council is planning to turn a former school on Calle Abenhama, in the Ofra neighborhood, into a dedicated facility for stray cat colonies. This project, led by the Department of Public Services and Animal Welfare, aims to take the pressure off the Valle Colino shelter.

Department head Carlos Tarife explained that using an existing building will speed up the project. The new center will provide veterinary care and population control, while also serving as a hub to encourage cat adoptions. This initiative is part of a wider strategy managed by the public company Gesplan, which is also scouting locations for a second shelter in the city's Southwest district.

The city’s 2026 budget includes several measures to manage local wildlife and improve coexistence. Key investments include 300,000 euros for feline management and 80,000 euros to build ecological dovecotes and study bird populations, following successful efforts to control pigeon numbers through capture and falconry.

The council is also tackling invasive species, with 55,000 euros set aside to manage rose-ringed parakeets and 25,000 euros for exotic animal control. Additionally, the city remains committed to opening its first dog-friendly beach at Las Gaviotas this year, responding to the high demand for pet-friendly recreational spaces along the coast.