Although it is not easy to know which animal was the first to be abandoned in the world, we know in principle that it should not have been a dog or a cat, because the first humans to share their existence with them needed them. Survive.
In my opinion, the first abandoned animals must be African hedgehogs. The reason is simple.
You see, ancient Roman legionnaires began their conquest of Africa in 146 BC. At that time and after fulfilling their duties, they always returned to Rome to recuperate. However, they did not do this alone. Many animals, especially African hedgehogs, were brought as souvenirs.
In fact, such practices were very common. Alexander the Great, for example, captured numerous species during his conquests, which he later brought to Europe. It is even believed to be the seed of the first zoos.
The fact is that the hedgehogs that the soldiers brought after arriving in Rome gradually fled from them or were abandoned. What is clear is that all these animals, one way or another, arrived in the natural environment and settled there quite successfully. Therefore, at the moment, the African hedgehog freely lives in Africa and in Italy.
It is not surprising that these animals managed to survive and reproduce in the wild so many kilometers from their homeland. For this they had and still have a size slightly larger than that of a cat, great strength, and the absence of natural enemies that could approach them. Additionally, as can be seen with the naked eye, their body is surrounded by a kind of shield of long, hard spikes; as if they were real arrows.
Today, of course, Italy has programs to prevent the presence of invasive species such as hedgehogs. Spain, practically no. Big mistake. Prevention is the only means of avoiding them. Waiting for them to settle in our environment is to condemn many native animals to death.