Having cats living wild in managed colonies can't be right. Some will always go hungry even when food is put out for them and disease will be more prevalent in a colony. Cats will always hunt; it is instinct, even when they are being fed. They stop hunting only when old and infirm.
Whether or not you agree with Gareth Morgan, at the end of the day, its not only what is best for the native wildlife but what is best for the cats. Once again we have altered the balance and it is up to us to put it straight.
I have kept cats, dogs and birds for over fifty years so I do understand their likes and dislikes. Living in a colony would be a very stressful environment for cats – certainly not an easy life.
I know that some people catch cats, have them speyed, neutered and then release them back into the colonies, but that is not the answer. There will always be more cats joining them.
Surely it would be more humane to put the time and money into euthanizing them. We don't want people to start poisoning them or using gin traps to reduce the numbers. The local Councils don't seem to want to address the problem and neither do the SPCA. There are other animal organisations in this area – surely they can all work in together to help solve the problem.
The cold wet winter weather will be hard for cats in the colonies – someone needs to take responsibility as the numbers are increasing in some areas.

Terry Edwards, Whakamarama.