A new project, entitled ‘Gato de Rua’, starts this month in Carvoeiro, designed to control the local stray cat population.
Organised by the union of the parishes of Lagoa and Carvoeiro in collaboration with local vets, it has been given a resounding thumbs-up from local animal protection associations.
The authority said: “We want to clarify that we do not intend to eliminate Carvoeiro’s cat population – especially because they are very important in rodent control.
“We do, however, intend to reduce the number of litters, which will ensure that the cats live in a healthier, more sociable and less visible manner, giving those who visit us another image of the town.”
The plan involves capturing, identifying, sterilising and de-worming stray cats and then returning them to specially constructed shelters where they will be encouraged to settle, and residents will then be able to feed them “safely”.
