Lanzarote Animal Welfare Law: Who Is Responsible for the Island’s Community Cats?
Residents and animal welfare volunteers in Lanzarote are calling for clearer action from local authorities over the care of community cats. The debate centres on a straightforward question: who should be responsible for managing the island’s cat colonies, and how can the law protect animals while also addressing residents’ concerns?
The issue has attracted renewed attention in recent months, with campaigners asking councils to take a more active role and ensure that legal responsibilities are put into practice. For residents, second-home owners and visitors who regularly see cats around streets, parks and coastal communities, understanding how community cat management works can help explain why the subject matters.
What does Spain’s Animal Welfare Law say?
Spain’s national Animal Welfare Law, Law 7/2023, includes specific provisions for community cats. Articles 38–42 set out a framework intended to manage cat populations humanely and reduce numbers over time, rather than relying on indiscriminate removal.
Under the law, local authorities are responsible for developing programmes for managing community cat colonies, subject to the applicable legal framework. These programmes are intended to include identifying and counting colonies, planning sterilisation, arranging veterinary care, and setting practical rules for feeding, hygiene and the responsibilities of volunteer carers. The law also provides for microchipping and sterilisation of community cats, with identification registered to the competent local administration.
The legislation does not mean that every cat seen outdoors should automatically be taken away. Community cats are generally managed in the area where they live, with exceptions for circumstances such as illness, adoption or other situations provided for by law. The aim is to support animal welfare while managing populations responsibly.
Why are volunteers raising concerns in Lanzarote?
People who care for community cat colonies often provide daily food and water, monitor the animals, arrange trapping and transport for veterinary treatment, and help coordinate sterilisation. Campaigners say that volunteers have been left carrying too much of this responsibility without consistent municipal support.
In September 2026, cat-colony carers called for a public demonstration in Arrecife to ask local authorities to fulfil their responsibilities under the law. Their concerns included the cost and organisation of veterinary care and sterilisation, as well as the difficulties that can arise when volunteers have to manage colonies without clear procedures or resources.
The campaign also highlights the need to deal with disputes between neighbours constructively. Feeding points, cleanliness, access to private property and concerns about the number of cats can all become sources of tension. Clear municipal guidance and communication can help prevent these issues from escalating.
Signs of progress in Arrecife
In October 2026, Arrecife City Council announced meetings with animal welfare organisations, veterinary professionals and people who care for community cats. The stated aim was to develop a more coordinated approach and work towards an integrated plan for the municipality.
The proposed work includes establishing a clearer picture of where colonies are located, how many cats live in them and which animals have already been sterilised. This kind of information can help authorities prioritise veterinary interventions, plan budgets and monitor whether measures are working over time.
A plan under development is not the same as a completed island-wide solution, and arrangements may differ between municipalities. Residents should check with their own town hall for the latest local procedures and available support.
What does this mean for residents and visitors?
If you live in Lanzarote, or spend time here on holiday, you may come across cats that live outdoors as part of a managed or informal colony. Avoid assuming that a cat is abandoned simply because it is outside; some community cats are cared for locally. If an animal appears injured or seriously unwell, contact a local animal welfare organisation, veterinary service or the relevant town hall for advice rather than attempting a risky rescue yourself.
Do not move cats from one colony to another, and do not leave food or containers in a way that creates litter or attracts pests. If you already help feed cats, ask your municipality or a recognised local animal welfare group about the appropriate arrangements in your area. Visitors should also avoid taking kittens or adult cats away from their location without first checking whether help is needed and who is responsible for them.
Why coordinated action matters
Humane community cat management requires more than feeding animals. It relies on consistent sterilisation, veterinary oversight, identification, sensible feeding arrangements and cooperation between councils, residents, volunteers and animal welfare groups. It also needs reliable information so that public money and volunteer time can be directed where they are most useful.
For Lanzarote, the challenge is to turn legal responsibilities into practical, properly resourced local programmes. Volunteers can remain valuable partners, but campaigners argue they should not have to substitute for a coherent municipal system. Clear procedures would also give residents a better way to raise concerns and resolve disagreements.
As discussions continue, the key question is how quickly each municipality can establish effective arrangements that protect community cats, support responsible carers and respect the needs of the wider neighbourhood.
