In Roses, Girona, volunteers caring for feral cat colonies are asking the council for clearer information, better coordination and more support for animal welfare work.
They say the number of cats in several colonies has risen over the past two years, especially in 2025, and that they have often had to pay for veterinary care and sterilisation themselves to stop the colonies growing further.
The group also says it has found differences between figures shared publicly by Environment Councillor Lluís Espasa and budget data provided by the Roses Council in reply to questions from opposition councillors. They want a full breakdown of public money used for feline colony management, including any subsidies from other administrations and how those funds were spent.
Another concern is any possible change to the current colony management model, including a reduction or reorganisation of shelters and feeding points. The volunteers say these facilities are essential to the Trap, Neuter, Release method, known locally as CES (Captura, Esterilització i Solta), and that some colonies still do not have the minimum conditions needed for proper management.
The volunteers say their daily work includes feeding the animals, checking their health and helping move cats to veterinary centres when needed. They also say much of this work is paid for out of their own pockets. For more local reporting, see our news page.
The council says it has worked over the past two years to control cat numbers. It says 430 cats were trapped, dewormed, sterilised, microchipped and returned to their colonies, 185 in 2024 and 245 in 2025. The council says the work cost €44,467 and was carried out under the Trap, Neuter, Return method, known locally as CER (Captura, Esterilització i Retorn), with the Alt Empordà Regional Council, which has delegated the service.
The volunteers say they want better coordination with people working on the ground and more transparent management of public funds. They also want their experience in the day-to-day running of the colonies to be taken into account in future decisions.