Noicattaro’s ordinance and the cat colonies
A temporary ban on feeding animals threatened to stop the people who care for cat colonies. At our request, the mayor confirmed in writing that cat colonies are exempt.
In August 2026, after two dog attacks on children, the municipality of Noicattaro (BA) issued urgent ordinances. One of the rules was “do not put out pet food outside homes”: read literally, it would also have stopped people who feed cat colonies, an activity the law recognises and protects.
Rete Felina asked the municipality to clarify the scope of the ban. The answer came the next day: the ordinance does not apply to cat colonies.
- Report (completed)
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- Outcome (completed)
Last update: 20 August 2026 — The municipality clarifies in writing
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Updates
20 August 2026
The municipality clarifies in writing
The mayor and the head of the local police confirm: the ban concerns food left on the ground and “does not apply to registered cat colonies”.
19 August 2026
Request for clarification
Animal Law Italia writes to the mayor, the local police and the ASL's veterinary service, copying the Prefecture of Bari and the Puglia Region: the ban must not apply to cat colonies.
12–17 August 2026
The urgent ordinances
Mayoral ordinances no. 228, 230 and 231 order, among other things, that no pet food be put out outside homes.