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Original poster

Stray and feral welfare

30 replies

fenneltea · 04/03/2018 11:59

Hello folks, hoping you would be able to support this petition to improve the plight of our stray and feral felines! Please sign and share, (admin remove if not allowed!) Thanks so much! www.change.org/p/defra-compulsory-neutering-and-microchipping-for-uk-outdoor-cats?recruiter=21748141&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_for_starters_page

OP posts:
mimibunz · 04/03/2018 12:02

Done!Smile

Original poster
fenneltea · 04/03/2018 12:08

Thankyou!

OP posts:
Allergictoironing · 04/03/2018 12:11

And done Smile

thecatneuterer · 04/03/2018 12:59

Signed. I've asked if CHAT can link it on their Facebook page.

Vinorosso74 · 04/03/2018 13:03

Signed

thecatneuterer · 04/03/2018 14:23

Bumping. I had known for some time that Germany was the one country in the world that more or less had the stray/feral cat problem under control, but I hadn't realised that it was a law like this that had done it.

viccat · 04/03/2018 15:38

Would it actually work though? In terms of being illegal not to neuter... Many people never take their cats to the vet so no one's checking.

thecatneuterer · 04/03/2018 15:40

Well it would be a good start. It would be interesting to know how it is enforced in Germany.

Original poster
fenneltea · 04/03/2018 16:05

Thanks TCN.

As for it not working, it's currently the law for all dogs to be microchipped or to face a fine and although there are still those who don't microchip, the message is slowly getting through, and I would hope it would be the same for cats. It takes time to change a mindset, which I think has to be the main goal, and it isn't that long ago that stray dogs were a common sight on the streets and a neutered dog was a rarity rather than the norm, I think we need to ensure that cats are viewed with the same sense of responsibility.

I'm sure it will take many years to end the current welfare crisis, even if measures are brought in, but as it currently stands I dread to think what the situation is going to be with an increasing cat population.

OP posts:
Vinorosso74 · 04/03/2018 16:28

I agree it is changing the mindset. Vets and charities both promote neutering cats but it would be great if the word was spread more widely. It's common knowledge amongst responsible cat owners but not the wider population. A friend of mine thought a female had to have at least one heat before neutering (she doesn't have a cat and is unlikely to have one but still). People don't know about FIV either.
I saw the RSPCA hospital near me offered a free spaying day this week but unfortunately the worst day weather wise so only one cat was brought in. Hopefully the next session is better attended!

Original poster
fenneltea · 04/03/2018 17:29

I hope so Vin! There was a news article that had a vet neutering 70 cats a day free of charge because the situation is so dire. Something has to change, and for all the advice from welfare organisations it still seems to be largely ignored, and with cats breeding so profusely it only takes a few to cause a huge increase in numbers down the line.

OP posts:
EachandEveryone · 06/03/2018 06:14

It’s difficult isn’t it when the same people that aren’t neutering probably are never going to the vet ever. And some people are vehemently against neutering and returning I see it all the time on Facebook. People are obsessed that it could be a family pet and not a feral that’s been taken. I’ve had to come off Afew pages because of that!

Gatekeeper · 06/03/2018 06:24

I think that if microchipping is made a legal requirement then Councils need to take this in board as many of them don't scan for a chip when they find a dead cat.

Gatekeeper · 06/03/2018 06:25

And good morning Fenneltea...hope you and your family and Catkin are well Smile

Gatekeeper · 06/03/2018 06:31

Signed

Original poster
fenneltea · 06/03/2018 08:00

OOh Hello Gatekeeper! We are all fine thankyou, and the lovely Catkin now has a new sister after mum took a stray cat that had had kittens in.

We managed to trap and rehome the kittens but Catkin got on fine with the newcomer and has had a new lease of life playing with her so she was definitely a keeper! I'm up to six cats so not allowed any more!

I hope you and your family are all well too. I agree that the councils should check for chips, it causes so much heartache when families never find out what has happened to a missing pet.

"Each" you are so right, I've trapped and neutered loads of cats that have turned up here, they've all been ferals bar a couple that had obviously had human contact at some point, I did keep all of them but after months of looking for non existant owners. A chip would have made things so much easier. I'm also of the opinion that if owners can't be bothered to neuter or chip then they probably shouldn't be owners, there's so much help available from welfare organisations now that there really isn't any excuse.

OP posts:
Want2beme · 06/03/2018 10:06

Signed it. Great petition.

RamblinRosie · 06/03/2018 19:44

Signed

Original poster
fenneltea · 06/03/2018 20:17

Thankyou!

OP posts:
Gatekeeper · 08/03/2018 12:13

glad catkin is ok and lovely to hear she has a 'sister'...you do know we need a photo now grin]

Original poster
fenneltea · 08/03/2018 20:28

Lol I'll get a pic when I'm through and post it for you Gatekeeper. :)

OP posts:
Zoflorabore · 08/03/2018 20:30

We feed a gorgeous family of gingers. As do a family at the back of us.

They're spoilt rotten Smile

EachandEveryone · 08/03/2018 22:51

Will you beable to get them neutered before you are invaded by gingers?

goforkyourself · 08/03/2018 23:10

Signed

Zoflorabore · 09/03/2018 06:39

The lady at the back has had them neutered! This was before they started coming here.
She has rescued lots of strays and looked after them.

Both families have different names for the cats too :)

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