Spay the Stray and de-sexathons are among plans to handle Tauranga's growing stray cat population as is finding homes for moggies living rough.

Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre Wildlife Trust has initiated their 'Spay the Stray Cat Campaign” and 'Adopt a Pet Programme” in response to concerns about growing populations of stray cats in the city and now the public's help is needed.

Dr Liza Schneider and Sue Mackey are doing more than their bit to keep Tauranga's stray cat population under control. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

Vet Liza Schneider, ARRC's director and owner of Holistic Vets, Tauranga, says while ARRC's main role is as a New Zealand native wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organisation, the issue of stray cats in one it can't ignore.

Intervention needed

'Growing populations of cats can have an impact on our natural environment, on wildlife and on pets. As they have continued to breed and, without intervention, this problem will continue to grow, likely at an alarming rate.

'We decided to take action and ask the public and local vets for help. We are working in cooperation with, and have the support of, the Tauranga City Council and SPCA.”

Vet have volunteered their time and already 10 cats captured in a trial for the project have been de-sexed and given health checks at a special surgery set up at Tauranga Kennels, ARRC's rescue centre.

'Because vets are giving their time, our costs are mainly for equipment, medicines and food, so we are asking for donations to assist with their purchase.”

Liza says help is needed from the public to identify stray cat colonies and to assist in capturing them.

Humane solutions

Traps will be used and while some of the cats are very tame, others can be pretty wild and will need careful handling.

'We will try and find suitable homes for as many cats as possible but those that are unwell will have to be euthanized.

'However, in some cases, such as industrial areas cats play an important role in controlling rodents, they may be de-sexed, ear notched and re-released.”

While some people may argue the stray cats should be destroyed because they can be seen as pests, Liza says a more constructive and humane solution may be to re-home these cats where possible.

Releasing them back into areas where they perform a useful purpose under someone's care – where they won't impact on wildlife – is also of utmost importance.

If you know of a stray cat population, are looking for a cat to adopt or are keen to provide assistance of any kind, phone ARRC co-ordinator Sue Mackey, 07 552 5503, email info@arrc.org.nz or check out ARRC's website: www.arrc.org.nz