The animal welfare group has warned that the entry of heavy machinery into the area, intended to transform the space into a large park, could endanger the lives of the felines. The association claims that the works are set to continue without ensuring effective protection for the animals, despite Law 7/2023 on Animal Welfare recognizing the protection of feline colonies.
According to the association, approximately 30 cats have been relocated to an enclosure in the Zona Franca, but the captures ceased on April 13. Currently, only workers are present, and signs announcing the start of works by the company Nivelaciones Buti Chiclana have already been installed.
On April 20, animal welfare advocates filed a new legal appeal with the Cádiz Administrative Court, defending the rights of community cats. The entity recalls that less than a year ago, the Cádiz City Council publicly denied the existence of this colony, managed by Cemabasa, which, in their opinion, demonstrated a lack of municipal will to apply animal welfare law.
“"From the entity, we want to remind that less than a year ago, the Cádiz City Council publicly denied the existence of a feline colony within the facilities of San José cemetery, currently managed by Cemabasa. This denial was the first major obstacle and, in the association's opinion, evidenced the lack of municipal will to apply the protection that Law 7/2023 on Animal Welfare expressly recognizes for feline colonies."
The association believes that the relocation of some cats to a plot in the Zona Franca, contracted by the City Council to the company Total Animal, was an "illegal transfer" and has only served to create a public image of compliance with the law, while the lives of dozens of cats remain at risk. The Barrio Felino Association has reaffirmed its commitment to continue monitoring, reporting, and taking legal action against the actions of the Cádiz City Council.
