“Get your cat neutered”: Flanders trapped 12,577 stray cats in a year, two and a half times as many now find homes, and owners who refuse could face fines

What happened

On 8 November 2026 the Flemish animal welfare minister, Ben Weyts, published the results of a survey of towns and municipalities about stray cats. The figures show that the policy introduced eight years ago is working. But the minister paired them with a simple appeal to owners: “Get your cat neutered.” Without that, he says, the problem cannot be solved.

How many cats were trapped

Last year towns and municipalities in Flanders trapped 12,577 stray cats. That is on average 20% more than in 2018, when the region brought in its compulsory policy. The minister sees the rise as a good sign: councils are genuinely tackling the problem rather than looking the other way.

How the system works

Since 2018 Flanders has expected every town and municipality to run an active stray cat policy. Local authorities must draw up a plan, set up a point where residents can report cats, and trap and neuter the animals. Volunteers and animal shelters often help them.

What happens to the cats

More than half of the trapped cats were released after neutering where they had been found. That is normal practice for adult, shy cats that are not used to people and could not live indoors. More than a quarter found new homes through shelters. The rest are treated, stay in shelters or go to foster carers.

Record adoptions

The most encouraging figure in the survey is the rise in adoptions. Since 2018 the number of stray cats that have found new owners has gone up by 147%, almost two and a half times. “That really seems to work,” said Weyts. More important than the number of animals trapped, he said, is that far more cats end up with a home.

“Mopping with the tap running”

The minister admits, however, that the problem has not gone away. As long as owners do not neuter their cats, or dump them on the street, the councils' work is like mopping the floor with the tap running. An unneutered pet cat that goes outdoors can have litters several times a year, and some of those kittens end up as strays.

Fines for those who refuse

That is why Weyts wants to give councils more tools. The idea is to let them act against persistent breaches of the neutering requirement that already exists in Flanders. Councils could, for example, fine owners who repeatedly ignore the rules. The minister has not yet given details of the future rules.

Why the cats suffer most

According to the minister, the cats themselves suffer most from life on the street. They live in harsh conditions, fall ill more often, get injured and go hungry. “A stray cat usually lives only two to five years, while a pet cat often lives to ten or older,” Weyts said.

Complaints from neighbours

There is another side too. Stray cats sometimes cause problems for people: they are noisy at night, leave mess behind and tear open rubbish bags. That leads to disputes between neighbours and complaints to councils. Trapping and neutering makes colonies smaller and calmer, because neutered toms fight and spray less.

Shelters raise the alarm

Shelter workers say they do not yet feel any relief. The Zwerfkat shelter in Wommelgem near Antwerp warns that the number of stray cats rises every summer. Most kittens are born in summer, and shelters fill up completely. Volunteers catch, treat and hand-rear the kittens, but there are not enough places.

Not every cat can be rehomed

Not all trapped cats are suitable for adoption. Adult cats that grew up without people are often afraid of being handled and cannot live in a home. For them the best option is neutering, vaccination and a return to familiar surroundings where local residents look after them. Kittens and friendly cats, on the other hand, are rehomed with families.

What trap, neuter, return means

The method used in Flanders is known in many countries as trap, neuter, return. The cat is caught in a humane trap, taken to a vet, neutered, often vaccinated and ear-tipped so that it is not trapped again. It then goes back to its colony, where it no longer breeds.

Why colonies are not simply removed

If a cat colony is removed completely, new animals eventually move into the empty territory. A neutered colony, by contrast, holds its territory and slowly shrinks naturally. That is why experts see this approach as more humane and more sustainable than trapping without neutering.

How Flanders got here

Flanders is one of the European regions where cats must be neutered and registered. The 2018 policy added duties for councils. Each council decides how to organise the work but has to report to the region. The minister's survey is the first big snapshot of how this works on the ground.

Where the problem is worse

Big cities trap more cats, but they also have more people willing to take them in. Rural areas are often harder: on farms, cats traditionally live unsupervised and breed without control. That is where animal welfare groups see the most scope for further work.

What neutering costs

Neutering a cat is a routine operation, and the cat usually goes home the same day. The price depends on the country, the practice and the cat's sex: spaying a female costs more than castrating a male. In the UK, charities such as Cats Protection run schemes that help owners on low incomes with the cost.

What neutering does for your cat

For a pet cat, neutering means more than no kittens. Neutered cats roam less, fight less and get injured less. In females it lowers the risk of womb infection and, if done early, of some mammary tumours. Toms stop marking the house with strong-smelling urine.

When to neuter

It is best to discuss timing with your vet. Many practices in Europe and the UK neuter cats at about four to six months, before the first season. A cat can become pregnant at four or five months, so if she goes outside it is wise not to wait. Adult cats can also be neutered at any age after a health check.

Myths about neutering

Many owners still believe a cat should “have one litter for her health”. Vets disagree: a litter brings no health benefit, while the risks of pregnancy and birth are real. Another myth is that a cat will inevitably get fat after the operation. Weight depends on diet and exercise and is easy to manage.

Feeding after the operation

After neutering, a cat's energy needs usually fall while its appetite may rise. Vets therefore advise keeping an eye on portions, weighing your cat once a month and, if needed, switching to a food for neutered cats. Wand toys and scratching posts help cats stay in shape, especially indoor cats.

Simple rules for owners

To avoid adding to the stray population, a few steps are enough:

1. Neuter your cat unless you are a breeder.
2. Microchip your cat and keep the database details up to date in your name.
3. Never abandon a cat on the street; contact a rescue instead.
4. If you feed a street colony, tell the council or a local rescue.
5. Adopt a kitten from a rescue rather than from random sellers.

If you find a cat

If an unfamiliar cat turns up near your home, first check whether it has an owner. A vet or rescue centre can usually scan for a microchip free of charge. In Flanders strays can be reported to the council's contact point. In the UK, where microchipping pet cats is compulsory in England, a local vet, Cats Protection or the RSPCA can advise.

Kittens in autumn

Autumn is the season of late litters. Kittens born in September and October cope less well with the cold, and shelters expect more calls. If you find kittens without their mother, do not take them straight away: she may be nearby. Watch from a distance and call a rescue to ask what to do.

What this means for Europe

The Flemish experience shows that systematic work with stray cats pays off: more animals get homes and colonies shrink. But without responsible owners any programme stalls. Similar rules are being introduced in Germany, where more and more towns and states are adopting cat protection regulations, and the figures from Belgium will be an argument in those debates.

When to see a vet

Book an appointment to discuss neutering when your cat is four to five months old or comes into season. A found cat needs urgent help if it has wounds, discharge from the eyes and nose, severe weight loss or breathing difficulties. After neutering, call your vet if the wound is red, swollen or weeping, or if your cat has not eaten for more than a day.