Tenerife Expands Feral Cat Management Program with Over 800 Neutering Procedures
Tenerife has successfully expanded its humane "trap, neuter, and return" program to all 28 municipalities, treating over 2,600 feral cats to date through improved veterinary coordination.
Tenerife is changing how it manages its cat population by focusing on the "trap, neuter, and return" (TNR) method. According to the island’s council, the program has already completed 849 procedures during its second phase. This initiative aims to balance urban life with wildlife protection, thanks to improved coordination between local authorities and the College of Veterinarians, which handles the medical side of the project.
Valentín González, the Councilor for the Primary Sector, reported that the program reached a major milestone in March, when 500 of the total interventions were performed. This surge confirms that all 28 participating municipalities are now fully operational. Beyond just surgery, the program follows a strict health protocol: every cat is microchipped and treated for parasites, ensuring that the population is managed humanely and safely.
This effort builds on the project's first phase, which ended in January 2025 with 1,834 cats treated. By choosing this ethical and sustainable approach, the council is addressing the growth of feral cat colonies while maintaining high standards for public health and animal welfare. The island’s council credits the success of this island-wide coverage to the strong involvement of local veterinary clinics.