AN alarming number of feral cats have been discovered in Mitchelstown.
An alarming number of feral cats have been discovered in Mitchelstown.
Yesterday, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it rescued 34 “un-socialised” cats and kittens in the area.
The organisation had received a call from a local welfare group about the colony, and was asked to step in and provide assistance with the situation.
ISPCA Inspector Lisa O’Donovan said there were “severe health issues” with a number of the animals.
At the property, with help from the Community Cats Network, Inspector O’Donovan humanely trapped all the cats and kittens and transported them to a nearby veterinary surgeon.
Many of the cats were extremely emaciated and some of them were gravely ill. None of the cats were spayed or neutered and inbreeding had also become a serious issue, spreading disease.
While not all the cats were feral, all were un-socialised. Ten of the animals were returned to the trap site following neutering and health checks, and the remaining healthy cats and kittens were transported to the ISPCA National Animal Centre for rehoming.
“This was an extraordinary situation and ISPCA intervention was necessary,” said Inspector O’Donovan.
“It is unfortunate that some of the cats had to be humanely euthanised on veterinary advice, as there were serious health issues that could not have been resolved. It was compulsory to return as many healthy, neutered cats as possible to the site to prevent new stray cats re-establishing a colony there.”
She said the case, which has been highlighted ahead of the society’s Feral Cat Awareness Week which runs from August 8 to 14, shows there is a need for ongoing education on the importance of spaying and neutering pets.
For more information about animal welfare, or about Feral Cat Awareness Week, go to www.ispca.ie.
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