Stray cats come in large numbers across Rincon de la Victoria and in many parts of Spain. If you have ever wanted to help out and wondered how, Rincon de la Victoria has the answer with local lessons.

Course for cat carers

Rincon de la Victoria held the sixth edition of its course for feeders and trappers of feline colonies on Wednesday, September 30, running from 5.15pm to 7.15pm in the council chamber at the local town hall.

The town hall’s health and consumer affairs department, organised the sessions, covering feeding, handling and capturing the animals, as well as guidance for carers on managing colonies.

What is CER

CER stands for Captura, Esterilizacion y Retorno: capture, sterilisation and return. Cats are trapped, neutered by a vet and returned to their territory. Town hall rules make this the priority method for settling neighbour complaints about colonies. They also call for courses like this one, so that volunteers follow shared guidelines on capture, feeding, hygiene and veterinary care. Our earlier report on how Rincon de la Victoria is managing its feral cats ethically explains the approach in more detail here https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/27/rincon-de-la-victoria-boosts-feral-cat-control-with-ethical-management-to-cool-local-tensions/.

Rincon de la Victoria currently has around 90 registered colonies, according to local media. It reports that 1,109 cats have been sterilised, 549 of them with a microchip. Close to 150 volunteers have completed the course in earlier editions.

Wide spread issue across Spain

Local councils are responsible for managing community cats under Spain’s Animal Welfare Law, known as Law 7/2023. Volunteers in several regions say councils should fund that work rather than rely on unpaid carers. You can also read about how €1,950,000 of a new €4 million animal welfare fund has been reserved for councils that manage cat colonies.

If you missed the September session and would like to help out where you can, email coloniasfelinasrincon@gmail.com for more information and to ask about future upcoming courses.

Picture what you want from an ideal Sunday, and a relaxed October day in a picturesque village, with guitars playing, artisans laying out their wares and neighbours from many countries sharing one square is one thing that comes to mind. The Comares Multicultural Meeting is here for 2026.

Comares Multicultural Meeting 2026

Festivities centre on the stunning Plaza Balcon de la Axarquia, the village’s best-loved square, with its wide views, its the ideal setting for any celebration.

Music runs throughout the whole afternoon on the schedule below, keeping you entertained for the entire festival:

13:00 – Luis Molero, known as “El Mole”, opens the concerts.
16:00 – Panda Arroyo Conca plays verdiales, a centuries-old folk music of the Malaga hills. Comares has its own distinctive style, and the Arroyo Concas panda also joins the procession for the village’s patron saint.
17:00 – Ella Ray closes the programme.

Also sit back and enjoy verdiales, fiddlers, guitars and plenty of foot-tapping percussion.

Crafts, dancing and art

Take a mooch along the craft stalls, watch displays of traditional folk dances and browse a painting exhibition devoted to the visual arts. It is a gentle, family-friendly way to spend a few hours, and a good chance to chat with neighbours and pick up a handmade souvenir.

Organisers say craftspeople who would like a stall can still apply by emailing ventanilla@comares.es or by phoning 663 63 50 71.

Comares is inland from the coast and its streets climb steeply, so comfortable shoes are a must. Ceramic footprints on the ground guide visitors to the village’s main sights, so leave time for a relaxed stroll before or after the music. Look out for the Puerta de Malaga, an old gateway where the village was handed over to Christian forces.

Whether you have lived in the Axarquia for decades or have only just arrived or visiting, this is a day made for meeting people, listening to good music and feeling part of the community.

Torrox has turned its historic old town into a huge display of Spanish colours, with red and yellow bunting running through the town ahead of its annual celebrations.

Around 100 kilometres of bunting have been bought by the town hall, with about 60 kilometres installed between La Almazara and the centre. From the air, the decoration creates the impression of one enormous Spanish flag stretching for more than two kilometres through the town.

Aerial footage shows the red and yellow lines winding through the historic centre before gathering tightly around Plaza de la Constitucion.

A welcome sight for expats

For British and other foreign residents who have made Torrox their home, the display offers a cheerful reminder that Spanish identity can be something to share rather than something that divides.

Torrox is home to residents from 90 nationalities, with foreigners accounting for more than 30 per cent of the registered population. Spanish flags are particularly fitting in a town where people from many countries have built their lives together.

Recent debates over nationality and the place of foreigners in Spain have sometimes created an uncomfortable atmosphere for expats. This offers a different picture: a town celebrating its national identity while people from elsewhere call it home.

Pride without leaving anyone out

Mayor Oscar Medina has welcomed the attention the display has received across Spain and linked the decoration to support for Ceuta. His message was patriotic, but the streets tell a broader story.

Spanish flags have long been part of local celebrations, football victories and national holidays. For many expats, joining in does not mean giving up their own identity. It can mean taking part in the country and community they have chosen as home.

Feria events begin on Wednesday, September 30, but it is the remarkable red-and-yellow streetscape that may prove to be one of Torrox’s most memorable images this week.