Torredembarra launched on May 15th two shelters for stray cats made from recycled glass containers. The new CatHotels have been installed in Cal Dània and in the Roques Planes industrial estate with the participation of the City Council, the Torrecat Association, and students from the Institut Ramon de la Torre.
The initiative reaches a municipality with a hundred feline colonies that gather about 600 specimens, with half of them on private land. This dimension contrasts with the start of the project, limited for now to two structures designed to offer shelter and food at specific points in the municipal area.
Students dedicated a whole year to adapting two recycled containers
The shelters have been built with containers donated by the Catalan Waste Agency and adapted by third-year ESO students from the Institut Ramon de la Torre. The structures incorporate beds, feeders, and scratching posts.
The work occupied a full academic year. Mireia Almeida and Alberto Sierra, students from the center, explained that the experience was "very fun and enriching" and highlighted the group's collaboration in giving "a second home" to cats living on the street.
"It has been very fun and enriching. We have been collaborating side by side to give a second home to the cats that live on the street. Being able to help these animals, give them shade and shelter, and also food, has been nice" - Mireia Almeida and Alberto Sierra, students from the Institut Ramon de la Torre
In addition to the environmental aspect due to the reuse of materials, the project incorporates direct collaboration between local facilities and municipal entities. The Torrecat Association and the council have also been involved in the process.
Torredembarra has 600 cats in a hundred colonies
The municipal census places the number of stray cat colonies scattered throughout Torredembarra at around 100. These colonies total 600 specimens throughout the municipality, and about half are located on private land.
Angie Muñoz, councilor for Animal Welfare, defended the action as a measure for coexistence. The councilor pointed out that the animals are part of the municipality and that the administration must ensure coexistence between people and them.
Montse Serra, vicepresident of the Torrecat Association, framed the usefulness of the shelters in the cold months and in episodes of rain. She also pointed out that the structures will allow the animals to have feed without being exposed to water.
"They will be useful, above all, in winter and on rainy days, they will not get wet and, in addition, they will have feed at their disposal" - Montse Serra, vicepresident of the Torrecat Association
The City Council plans to expand the number of CatHotels if it verifies that the first two shelters have acceptance and use. The two points chosen for this first phase have been Cal Dània and the Roques Planes industrial estate.