Too many cats
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382324)
Rockingham, Australia
September 14, 2017 2:13am CST
We are coming into the last week of our monster holiday in Ireland and France and are spending a few days with our son and his wife. They have just moved and are renting an old house on a dairy property near Kells in County Westmeath (I think it is Westmeath). They have the use of a field for their seven goats and one sheep which was one of the hurdles they faced when moving – finding somewhere for the animals.
Immediately behind the house is a dairy and there are a number of farm cats which are mostly feral. One of the cats has just had seven kittens. My son has approached several rescue agencies about how to address the problem of continual litters of kittens from these cats and now he has started feeding them.
He will do this at the same time each day and in a few weeks it is hoped that they will be able to trap the cats. They will be speyed (sterilised) and either returned to the farm or rehomed. And apparently this service will not cost my son anything. What a positive way of addressing the feral cat issue. Does your area have anything similar?
The photo is of one of the half-grown cats. This one could easily be tamed.
24 people like this
27 responses
@LadyDuck (502628)
• Italy
14 Sep 17
The cat in the photo looks a lot like Willy. This is what they do here, they capture the feral cats, they sterilise the cats and then return them to the farms, or the areas, where they live. It's paid with our local taxes, the cats are not harmed, they are safe and we have almost zero new feral cats.
7 people like this
@garymarsh6 (24028)
• United Kingdom
14 Sep 17
That is very wise of your son otherwise they will become over run with them Shame your holiday has come to an end but you have had a super time!
6 people like this
@JudyEv (382324)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Sep 17
Their new rented farmhouse in right in the middle of the farmyard so the stray cats do impact on them - and their own two cats.
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
14 Sep 17
They do that here also - they snip an ear so that in the future people know the cat is fixed. The costs are paid by donated money.
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
15 Sep 17
@JudyEv I guess that is universal!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382324)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Sep 17
Yes, apparently the ear will be snipped in this case too.
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
14 Sep 17
They should be spayed to control population.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (382324)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Sep 17
I think so too but when they are not your cats you don't want to pay out to have them sterilised. And my son couldn't afford it anyway.
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
14 Sep 17
I was going to say - no such thing as too many cats, but, in all seriousness, yes. - Pet over population is a real issue. It is great your son is dealing with the strays in this manner
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382324)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Sep 17
@FayeHazel I was really surprised. I was quite sure there would be a cost to the person reporting or submitting the cats.
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
15 Sep 17
@JudyEv I think it's wonderful - no cost. Such things are expensive, even for 1 cat.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17242)
• China
14 Sep 17
What a cuddly cat !Your son is kind to animals.How come the cat problem had been nobody's business before your son moved there.
2 people like this
@prashu228 (37518)
• India
14 Sep 17
That's a good way to sterilize the cat's. The picture is really good , cute cat
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382324)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Sep 17
The rescue service wants photos of all the cats in case they are able to find homes for them.
@RasmaSandra (98026)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Sep 17
That is an adorable kitty. Yes, here in Riga we have an animal rescue service that picks up strays has them checked and fixed then given to some halfway homes that volunteer to watch them and then people see their photos on the net and can arrange to adopt. That is how we found Sid.
2 people like this
@SerenityEngel (525)
• United Kingdom
14 Sep 17
I love kitties. I would have to fed them. Probably end up adopting them all. Glad they will be sterilized as female cats can get pregnant from 4 months old I believe. That kitty in the photo is adorable. I have some ham I'd share with it.
2 people like this
@m_audrey6788 (58468)
• Germany
14 Sep 17
What a sweet cute cat there 
Glad to know that there are still good people around helping poor cats that needed so much love and attention 
Glad to know that there are still good people around helping poor cats that needed so much love and attention 2 people like this
@JudyEv (382324)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Sep 17
The cats would have a tough time if there wasn't someone to watch out for them. And now winter isn't too far away.
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
21 Sep 17
Yes we have a similar scheme in spain and england ... it's a good idea... I hope your sons plan works...
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
16 Sep 17
What a healthy solution to a possible problem! I have no idea here in Canada what they do-- I don't think it's a huge problem as I haven't heard about it but will keep my ears open for any info.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
19 Sep 17
@JudyEv Ah could be! We do have them but it's not a problem but just may be in the bigger cities. :)
@teamfreak16 (43634)
• Denver, Colorado
14 Sep 17
That is one pretty cat. Hope it gets adopted.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
14 Sep 17
We have an animal shelter, which does O.K. from what I've heard. But, the humane society is the very best, again from hearsay.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382324)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Sep 17
@kobesbuddy Eight cats sounds like about six too many. 
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
15 Sep 17
@JudyEv Oh, I'm so glad! Our neighbor lady had 10 cats and now, she only has 8
1 person likes this
