Last Updated on 5 April 2023 by Vanessa
Wandering stray cats are one of the most abundant sights in Israel.
Eilat, in particular, has numerous stray cats thanks to its coastal location. The sea provides natural resources for a large variety of animals, including the many cats who live on the beaches.
Do you want to know why Eilat is called a “city of cats“? Then dive right in.
Where is Eilat located?
Eilat is a town in the South Sinai region of Israel. It is also known as “Aqaba of the East,” a designation that comes from its proximity to the Red Sea and from the ancient trade route that connected Egypt and India via Aqaba.
Many visitors to Eilat take the opportunity to visit Petra, a historical and archaeological city in Jordan, which is located just a few hours away by car.
But there are plenty of reasons to stay put in Eilat, too, since the city has made a name for itself as a popular tourist destination.
Thanks to its colorful underwater coral reefs and vibrant marine life, Eilat is mainly a diving and hiking destination.
Cat lovers from all over the world also visit this desert resort to catch a glimpse of the feline natives.
City of cats
Eilat truly is a “city of cats.”
Israel’s population of stray cats is now believed to have reached the one million mark. They are an inherent part of Israelian culture and everyday life, living harmoniously with the people of the country (very much like the stray cats of Istanbul, which you can read about here).
The majority of the cats in Eilat are strays, and there is a good reason for that.
Thanks to the cats’ natural hunting instinct, they are believed to protect the city from rats and snakes. Of course, whether or not a cat can protect humans from rats and snakes depends on the size of the rat and the type of snake (and on the temperament of the cat).
Taking street cats out of their natural environment is therefore against the law in Israel.
A law to protect stray cats
There is indeed a law in Israel that provides protection for stray cats. This law, known as “The Law for the Protection of Animals,” was passed in 1994 and amended in 2005 to specifically address the issue of stray cats.
Under this law, it is illegal to intentionally harm or kill a stray cat, and anyone caught doing so can face fines and even imprisonment.
This law also requires that public areas, such as parks and neighborhoods, provide food and water stations for stray cats. This ensures that the cats have access to basic necessities and reduces their need to scavenge for food in garbage cans or other areas.
They keep the environment around the feeding area sanitary and keep waste dumpsters shut at all times.
This means that stray cats are fed on a scale not seen in other places around the world.
Spaying and neutering
It is also the government’s responsibility to spay and neuter stray cats.
These TNR programs aim to control the population of stray cats and prevent the spread of disease without resorting to euthanasia. The cats are captured, neutered or spayed, and then released back into their original location. This helps to stabilize the population and reduce the number of new litters being born.
Final thoughts
Overall, the stray cats law in Israel reflects a growing awareness of the importance of animal welfare and the need to protect vulnerable animals. By implementing TNR programs and providing basic care for stray cats, Israel is taking steps towards ensuring that these animals are treated with compassion and respect.
Therefore, Eilat truly is a city of cats.
I hope you enjoyed this post about the stray cats of Eilat, Israel.
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