How you can address a stray cat problem

Press Release issued: 16 February 2010 at 7:30am

Whether there's a stray cat that has become a nuisance or you want to know where to take that friendly homeless moggie that hangs around your home, Cat Haven has some tips for you.

Cat Haven Spokesperson Jessica Reid said it was no secret that there were very limited services available in Perth to address the stray cat population.

"When people find a dog that doesn't belong to anyone they call the council ranger," Ms Reid said.

"This is not the case with cats, there is no government service to address Perth's stray cat problem."

Ms Reid said that Cat Haven was a not-for-profit charity that relied on the generosity of the public to operate.

She said Cat Haven had initiated its own ranger service but due to very limited funding and resources the charity struggled to make a significant difference to large stray cat problem.

"In just two months between December 2009 and January 2010 over 100 stray cat jobs were logged with our rangers on top of a huge backlog of work they already have, and this was only the jobs logged, a lot of people didn't want to be put on the waiting list of up to 6 weeks for a ranger to visit so they sought alternatives."

Ms Reid said Cat Haven is currently expanding its ranger service but even with an improved service the shelter would struggle to cope with the huge demand.

"There are many people out there that are unsure of how to address a stray cat problem so we've developed a checklist to help them," Ms Reid said.

 

Checklist for addressing a stray cat problem

1.    Make sure the cat isn't owned by contacting your neighbours to ask if the cat belongs to them, put up flyers on your local shopping notice board, notify local vets or even attach a collar to the cats neck if you can get close to it and write on the collar "if this is your cat please phone X".

2.    If you don't have any response and the cat is friendly, place the cat in a secure container making sure it is comfortable and has enough ventilation to breathe and bring the cat in to Cat Haven straight away. This is a huge help to Cat Haven's already highly stretched resources.

3.    If the cat is not friendly or there is no one that can bring the cat to Cat Haven phone your local vet who may be able to help.

4.    If your local vet is unable to help phone Cat Haven on 9442 3600 to log the job. It will cost $35 for one of Cat Haven's specially trained rangers to visit and collect the cat which only covers a third of the shelter's operating costs. Cat Haven will do their best to get to you as soon as possible, but please be patient if it takes a few weeks. Cat Haven always checks cats brought in for signs of ownership including scanning them to see if they are microchipped.

5.    Another option is to contact a pest control company that usually charge over $200. It's important to ask the pest control company what measures they will take to ensure the cat is not owned and will be humanely treated.

6.    It is vital that you do not feed stray cats unless you are willing to adopt them and sterilise them. This seemingly kind act is contributing to Perth's unwanted cat population as unsterilised strays will continue to breed and produce unwanted kittens.

For more advice phone Cat Haven on 9442 3600.

ENDS

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