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Definitions and laws

What is a Clowder of cats?

A clowder is a group of cats that live freely and habitually frequent the same location. Law 281/91 emphasizes the concept of territoriality, stating that, due to their ethological characteristics as territorial animals, cats require a stable territorial reference.

What is a “Clowder Habitat”?

A clowder habitat refers to any urban or non-urban area, whether built or unbuilt, public or private, where at least one free-living cat is permanently present, regardless of whether it is cared for by citizens (art. 14bis co. 1, L.R. 10/97).

How Are Clowders Protected?

The Marche Region promotes the protection of free-living cats. It is strictly forbidden for anyone to mistreat or relocate them from their habitat (art. 14, co. 1, L.R. 10/97).

Clowders are safeguarded by municipalities (individually or in association) and mountain unions, which are responsible either directly or through agreements with registered volunteer associations (L.R. 15/2012) for Maintaining public land where clowders reside, Monitoring animal welfare in cases where the clowder is located on a private property, Coordinating private citizens who manage the clowders (art. 14bis co. 2, L.R. 10/97).

Maltreatment of free-living cats is strictly prohibited (art. 2, co. 7, L. 281/91).

Legal Protections Under the Italian Penal Code

The Italian Penal Code dedicates an entire section (TITLE IX-BIS) to Crimes Against the Sentiment for Animals. Specifically:

  • Anyone who, out of cruelty or without necessity, causes the death of an animal is subject to imprisonment from four months to two years (art. 544bis, Penal Code)
  • Anyone who, out of cruelty or without necessity, causes injury to an animal, subjects it to abuse, excessive labor, or unsuitable conditions for its natural characteristics is subject to imprisonment from three to eighteen months or a fine ranging from €5,000 to €30,000 (art. 544ter, Penal Code).
  • The same penalty applies to anyone who administers narcotic or banned substances to animals or subjects them to treatments harmful to their health.
  • If the abuse results in the animal’s death, the penalty is increased by half (art. 544ter, Penal Code)..

These laws affirm the fundamental right of every animal—especially those living in clowders—to respect, protection, and well-being.