€15 for feral cat neuter under TNR programme

A programme initiated nationally by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) is offering locals the chance to have every feral cat in their area neutered for just €15 per animal. The nominal fee as part of the Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) programme is being made available thanks to the Offaly SPCA and Tullamore based vet Margaret Ryan in addition to the ISPCA and donor support. Feral cats to be neutered have to be caught. The OSPCA say help is available however, with a number of humane traps under their ownership being made available for those wishing to take part. Procedures will be carried out on cats at the Tullamore Veterinary Clinic on Henry Street. According to Offaly SPCA several calls are received every week from people relating to feral cat colonies. "The information they supply is nearly always the same," Geoff Oakley of the Offaly SPCA says. "The problem begins with just one or two stray or abandoned cats being seen and fed by a kind-hearted person. This prompts the animals to stay around that area and soon the population spirals out of control. "That's not surprising," he continued, "because a female cat can commence breeding from as young as five months and go on to produce up to three litters per year, with an average of five kittens per litter. Things get worse when the new colony becomes diseased. This might introduce a kind of population control but it is a highly undesirable solution - not only because of the suffering it causes to the wild ones but because in due course infections will spread to domesticated cats." Mr Oakley said the TNR programme that's currently running is the best way of tackling the problem of feral cats. "If healthy the ferals are neutered and returned to their home area," he said. "The populations will not be expanding and the limited numbers remaining will be able to continue with their useful work of vermin control." Applications to the TNR programme should be made as soon as possible by calling to the Offaly SPCA office in Market Place, Tullamore or calling 086 3785584.