Cats
Cats Protection Volunteer Veronica Robinson explains how Maidenhead, Slough & District Branch tackles the problem of unwanted stray and feral cats in the area…
The Maidenhead, Slough & District Branch of Cats Protection is on a mission to reduce the numbers of unwanted stray and feral cats in the area. Free neutering vouchers provide a solution for cats with owners who cannot afford the cost, but this does not solve the problem of stray and feral cats – trapping and neutering is the only way.
Our fieldworkers are out in all weathers capturing these cats, taking them straight to the vet for a quick neutering operation and returning them to their familiar environment. They like the outdoor life and, providing we are satisfied that there is an adequate food supply and someone who is prepared to keep an eye on them, it is often the only solution.
There are feral cats living rough throughout Slough, in people’s gardens, behind shop premises and on the trading estate. In a recent, ongoing project, we were asked to neuter a small colony living in a back garden. The householder was happy to feed the six adults and 11 kittens, but no more, so fieldworker Ray acted to control the situation.
It was an early start as it’s important to be in position before the cats are fed. Ray had four traps – the maximum he can get in the car – which he primed with food then remained out of sight. As each trap closed, he quickly removed it and covered it to keep the cat calm. After a lengthy wait in the cold and drizzle, all four traps were full. Two black kittens, one black and white and one tabby were taken to the vet. Later in the day the four cats, which were all male, were returned and rushed out of the traps none the worse for their experience!
Ray returned two days later and trapped a further three adults, this time all female. As one adult cat was already neutered – a notch in the ear identifies that cats that have been ‘done’ – and some of the kittens too immature, just two adults and one kitten remained to be trapped. Ray will return in a couple of months to capture the remaining kittens.
A good job done and one that is of real benefit to both cats and humans. But this work is expensive in both time and money. If you can help with a donation towards our feral cat neutering programme, please send a cheque made payable to Cats Protection Maidenhead Slough & District to CP Treasurer c/o 44 Switchback Road South, Maidenhead SL6 7PZ or online at www.maidenhead.cats.org.uk. The problem is likely to increase as the financial situation gets worse so any help will be much appreciated.
Did you enjoy reading our latest post? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below!
- World Spay Day 2016
Today is World Spay Day, a day that shines a spotlight on the importance of getting your pet neutered. We think that neutering is the only effective way to reduce the number of unwanted cats in the UK. In 2014 we helped neuter 163,000 cats, including...
- ‘will Neutering Calm My Kitten Down?’ And Other Neutering Faqs
Want to know more about neutering your cat? Have a read of this blog post which contains some of the answers provided by Cats Protection’s Neutering Manager Jane Clements in our recent neutering Q&A. Question: I have three cats – the oldest two...
- Why Should I Neuter My Cat?
Neutering is the only effective way of reducing the number of unwanted cats and kittens in the UK. Please don’t add to the plight of the thousands of unwanted cats already out there! Getting your cat neutered is good for them – and for you too!...
- Will You Help With The Cost Of Spaying? And Other Cat Neutering Faqs
Do you have a burning question about neutering? Last week we ran a live Q&A on our Facebook page with Cats Protection Neutering Manager, Jane Clements. Here are just some of the questions asked: Question: I have two kittens, one male and female, both...
- Emergency Operation Saves Cat And Kittens
Veterinary staff at Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre have saved the lives of a pregnant cat and her four kittens after she had difficulties giving birth. The team at CP’s centre in Chelwood Gate, East Sussex, performed an emergency...
Cats
It's nicer to neuter
Cats Protection Volunteer Veronica Robinson explains how Maidenhead, Slough & District Branch tackles the problem of unwanted stray and feral cats in the area…
The Maidenhead, Slough & District Branch of Cats Protection is on a mission to reduce the numbers of unwanted stray and feral cats in the area. Free neutering vouchers provide a solution for cats with owners who cannot afford the cost, but this does not solve the problem of stray and feral cats – trapping and neutering is the only way.
Our fieldworkers are out in all weathers capturing these cats, taking them straight to the vet for a quick neutering operation and returning them to their familiar environment. They like the outdoor life and, providing we are satisfied that there is an adequate food supply and someone who is prepared to keep an eye on them, it is often the only solution.
There are feral cats living rough throughout Slough, in people’s gardens, behind shop premises and on the trading estate. In a recent, ongoing project, we were asked to neuter a small colony living in a back garden. The householder was happy to feed the six adults and 11 kittens, but no more, so fieldworker Ray acted to control the situation.
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| Ray readies the traps |
Ray returned two days later and trapped a further three adults, this time all female. As one adult cat was already neutered – a notch in the ear identifies that cats that have been ‘done’ – and some of the kittens too immature, just two adults and one kitten remained to be trapped. Ray will return in a couple of months to capture the remaining kittens.
A good job done and one that is of real benefit to both cats and humans. But this work is expensive in both time and money. If you can help with a donation towards our feral cat neutering programme, please send a cheque made payable to Cats Protection Maidenhead Slough & District to CP Treasurer c/o 44 Switchback Road South, Maidenhead SL6 7PZ or online at www.maidenhead.cats.org.uk. The problem is likely to increase as the financial situation gets worse so any help will be much appreciated.
Did you enjoy reading our latest post? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below!
- World Spay Day 2016
Today is World Spay Day, a day that shines a spotlight on the importance of getting your pet neutered. We think that neutering is the only effective way to reduce the number of unwanted cats in the UK. In 2014 we helped neuter 163,000 cats, including...
- ‘will Neutering Calm My Kitten Down?’ And Other Neutering Faqs
Want to know more about neutering your cat? Have a read of this blog post which contains some of the answers provided by Cats Protection’s Neutering Manager Jane Clements in our recent neutering Q&A. Question: I have three cats – the oldest two...
- Why Should I Neuter My Cat?
Neutering is the only effective way of reducing the number of unwanted cats and kittens in the UK. Please don’t add to the plight of the thousands of unwanted cats already out there! Getting your cat neutered is good for them – and for you too!...
- Will You Help With The Cost Of Spaying? And Other Cat Neutering Faqs
Do you have a burning question about neutering? Last week we ran a live Q&A on our Facebook page with Cats Protection Neutering Manager, Jane Clements. Here are just some of the questions asked: Question: I have two kittens, one male and female, both...
- Emergency Operation Saves Cat And Kittens
Veterinary staff at Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre have saved the lives of a pregnant cat and her four kittens after she had difficulties giving birth. The team at CP’s centre in Chelwood Gate, East Sussex, performed an emergency...