WILLEMSTAD – More tourist locations on Curaçao are joining structured efforts to address the island’s growing stray cat population, according to Stichting Kitten Rescue Curaçao. The foundation says major tourism operators, including Sandals Resort, have now become involved in projects aimed at managing stray cats through the TNRC method.
According to the organization, awareness is growing that the stray cat issue is no longer viewed solely as an animal welfare concern, but also as a matter affecting public health, the living environment and the tourism sector.
Foundation spokesperson Miriam Bleeker described the situation as a “community problem” that requires shared responsibility from government, businesses and the wider public.
The projects are based on the TNRC approach — Trap, Neuter, Return, Care. Under the system, stray cats are captured, sterilized and then returned to designated locations where food and water are provided.
According to the foundation, the method helps stabilize cat populations over time while also reducing nuisance and improving the welfare of the animals.
Kitten Rescue Curaçao says it is currently involved in multiple projects at resorts and public beaches across the island. Participating locations include Blue Bay, LionsDive, Coral Estate and the beaches Grote Knip and Kleine Knip.
With the expansion of these initiatives, the tourism sector on Curaçao appears to be increasingly incorporating animal management into broader sustainability and environmental policies.