Tenerife Animal Welfare Initiative Sterilizes Nearly 2,000 Pets to Curb Overpopulation

Tenerife has made significant progress in the ethical management of urban animal populations. A recent initiative successfully sterilized, microchipped, and dewormed 1,950 dogs and cats. According to the Official College of Veterinarians of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, this effort has prevented the birth of an estimated 10,500 kittens, proving that sterilization is a far more effective and sustainable solution than other methods.

Now in its second year, the program reached 28 municipalities across the island, providing care for 371 feline colonies with the help of 42 local veterinary clinics. By including deworming treatments, the initiative has improved the health of animals living in public spaces and reduced the risk of disease.

María Luisa Fernández de Miguel, president of the College of Veterinarians, noted that 52 animals were successfully adopted during the campaign. However, the organization emphasizes that more needs to be done to find homes for socialized animals. To support these efforts, the program uses ZOOCAN, a regional database supported by the Cabildo de Tenerife. This tool helps track animals through microchips, which proved highly effective during the campaign: 360 lost dogs and 229 lost cats were reunited with their owners.

The database also helps manage feline colonies by tracking the health of treated animals and identifying their caregivers. Alongside these technical measures, authorities have launched the "Pets are not furniture" campaign to fight animal abandonment. The message is clear: responsible pet ownership is a lifelong commitment that includes proper identification, regular veterinary care, and sterilization. Ultimately, protecting animals is a shared responsibility that relies on both effective public management and public awareness.