- UAB Microcredential
- Code: 5198/101
- 101th edition
- Modality: Blended
- Credits: 4 ECTS
- Start date: 09/01/2026
- Finish date: 27/02/2026
- Places: 25
- Orientation: Professional
- Price: 600 €
-
Special price 180 €
Group of application: Amount with the NextGenerationUE Fund discount applied
- Teaching language: Catalan
- Location: Facultat de Veterinaria (UAB)
Feline colonies consist of groups of stray cats around a source of food and shelter. Generally, they are made up of very heterogeneous populations of cats, which include a wide range of animals with different characteristics, origins, and health statuses. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of feline colonies as well as the number of individuals that are part of them. However, the living conditions of street cats present serious deficiencies both in terms of animal welfare and animal health. In this regard, and considering the potentially zoonotic nature of some transmissible diseases, the feline colony can also have an impact on public health, as well as on biodiversity due to the predatory nature of the cat that coexists with other vulnerable species with which it shares the natural environment.
Therefore, the need for comprehensive management that promotes animal welfare and health while minimizing the potential impact that such groups can have on animal health, public health, and biodiversity is evident. To date, in Catalonia and in compliance with Legislative Decree 2/2008 (https://portaljuridic.gencat.cat/eli/es-ct/dlg/2008/04/15/2), the management of feline colonies has been mainly based on sterilization strategies through the Capture-Sterilization-Return-Register (CERR) protocol. However, considering the results obtained over all these years, this management model has not been entirely effective as it has not achieved a significant reduction in the number of cats that make up a colony or the number of colonies established in municipalities. It is clear that other control strategies need to be prioritized and implemented to reduce the population of street cats and improve their health and welfare conditions. Therefore, the need to develop a comprehensive management framework for this type of group that considers other aspects related to the promotion of animal health and welfare, the protectionof public health, and the conservation of nature is proposed. This is the objective of the recently approved Law 07/2023 of March 28 on the protection of animal rights and welfare (https://www.boe.es/eli/es/l/2023/03/28/7/con), which has as fundamental elements the integration of companion animals into society and the fight against abandonment.
The implementation of this law highlights the need for qualified veterinary professionals to carry out the action protocols that must be developed in the management of community cats. The role of the veterinary professional will be key to good management, as they are responsible for designing action plans, supervising them, and ensuring the proper functioning of the colony both in terms of health and animal welfare. For this reason, accredited and specifically directed training in multidisciplinary and transversal management is required. This is the objective of this course aimed at veterinarians. Training tailored to the specific needs that today's society demands. Therefore, the course will have the collaboration of experts from different fields within the framework of comprehensive management of feline colonies such as ethology and animal welfare, legislation, animal health, management, and even geolocation. Additionally, this course will be recognized by the Directorate General of Environmental Policies and Natural Environment of the Generalitat de Catalunya.
- Management, communication, and coordination with involved personnel
- Data collection. Mapping and census
- Health program
- Population control. CERR protocol (capture, sterilization, registration, and return)
- Behavior and welfare
- Legislation
- Relocation and/or closure of colonies. Rehousing
- Discussion and case resolution
Therefore, the need for comprehensive management that promotes animal welfare and health while minimizing the potential impact that such groups can have on animal health, public health, and biodiversity is evident. To date, in Catalonia and in compliance with Legislative Decree 2/2008 (https://portaljuridic.gencat.cat/eli/es-ct/dlg/2008/04/15/2), the management of feline colonies has been mainly based on sterilization strategies through the Capture-Sterilization-Return-Register (CERR) protocol. However, considering the results obtained over all these years, this management model has not been entirely effective as it has not achieved a significant reduction in the number of cats that make up a colony or the number of colonies established in municipalities. It is clear that other control strategies need to be prioritized and implemented to reduce the population of street cats and improve their health and welfare conditions. Therefore, the need to develop a comprehensive management framework for this type of group that considers other aspects related to the promotion of animal health and welfare, the protectionof public health, and the conservation of nature is proposed. This is the objective of the recently approved Law 07/2023 of March 28 on the protection of animal rights and welfare (https://www.boe.es/eli/es/l/2023/03/28/7/con), which has as fundamental elements the integration of companion animals into society and the fight against abandonment.
The implementation of this law highlights the need for qualified veterinary professionals to carry out the action protocols that must be developed in the management of community cats. The role of the veterinary professional will be key to good management, as they are responsible for designing action plans, supervising them, and ensuring the proper functioning of the colony both in terms of health and animal welfare. For this reason, accredited and specifically directed training in multidisciplinary and transversal management is required. This is the objective of this course aimed at veterinarians. Training tailored to the specific needs that today's society demands. Therefore, the course will have the collaboration of experts from different fields within the framework of comprehensive management of feline colonies such as ethology and animal welfare, legislation, animal health, management, and even geolocation. Additionally, this course will be recognized by the Directorate General of Environmental Policies and Natural Environment of the Generalitat de Catalunya.
Contents
- Introduction to urban feline colonies- Management, communication, and coordination with involved personnel
- Data collection. Mapping and census
- Health program
- Population control. CERR protocol (capture, sterilization, registration, and return)
- Behavior and welfare
- Legislation
- Relocation and/or closure of colonies. Rehousing
- Discussion and case resolution
Scholarships and financial aid
Chek all the information on the possibilities for grants and scholarships in the page for UAB financial aids, grants and calls.
Coordinating centres
Escuela de Formación Permanente
Collaborating centres
Consell col·legis veterinaris de catalunya
Contact
Ana Maria Ortuño Romero
Phone: 935811049