Most of Ireland has a problem with wild or ‘feral' cats. These cats live in colonies almost everywhere, both in towns and the country. They have a place in our society, for without these cats we would have a population explosion of mice and rats! They live close to us and a lot of the time depend on us for food. These cats rarely let themselves be handled and usually only approach at a distance at feeding times. Feral cats very rarely carry diseases that would put our own health at risk, although you can get a nasty abscess if you get close enough to be bitten or scratched.

However we must intervene if we are to stop these cats from breeding to a stage where there is not enough food to go around, the cats then become emaciated and unhealthy. They may then develop diseases that endanger their health due to emaciation and over population. One queen can produce 2 or 3 litters of around 8 kittens a year. Within 6 months these kittens then start to breed and a few cats can become hundreds in just a few short years.

In the past radical measures were taken to remove the colonies and destroying all the feral cats in an area. Studies have shown that this approach does not work. A niche is left, and within a year, the gap left by the previous colony will be filled by other feral cats from neighbouring areas, resulting in the same problem time after time.

The modern effective way to tackle this problem is to use a humane cat trap to catch all the cats one or two at a time. The cats are then checked for diseases such as Feline Leukaemia (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and those testing positive or suffering from any other debilitating disease, humanely euthanased. The other healthy cats must be neutered and marked, usually by a vet nicking an ear, this gives an easy visual signal that the cats has been checked and then returned to their territory.

This way the cats can live out a natural healthier life and as they are territorial they will keep away any feral cats so the population will remain stable. There will be enough food as long as a few people agree to feed the cats so that they won't go raiding bins. They will also control the local rat, mice and pigeon populations.

Removing the cats altogether will result in a long term fight against other unhealthy cats filling the gap for many years.

Who is responsible for the wild cats? The government? Perhaps local government funding is available but perhaps other pressures on funding are greater. Animal welfare groups? Very hard working dedicated individuals, who also have to deal with their own families and jobs, run these organisations. Although they do provide as much assistance as possible they cannot be expected to sort out everyones' feral cat problem.

The best answer is for the local residents to accept responsibility for their own colony. This can often be done through a residents group or association. Residents can call in the help of the local welfare group and a budget can be put together for the cost of neutering and health checks to the cats. Vets will offer their services at a discounted rate for genuine feral cats. If everyone in that community decides to do their part then the cost may only be a few Euros to each household, resulting in the peace and stability of the colony for a number of years. All it takes is few individuals to feed the cats each day and a few donations from the residents to help pay for their food.

If your area does not have a colony, the best way to stop one developing is not to feed any stray cats. If there is no food source the cats won't stick around and go off looking for a meal elsewhere.

Please contact Second Chance Animal Rescue if you and your community want to help your local population of feral cats, and ask us how to set up your Cat Control Scheme.