“There are estimated to be round 200,000 feral cats in Ireland, so giving. one second to every cat makes up 55 hours and 55 minutes so I’m walking that size of time this month,” says Ciara Darby who lives in Sheelagh, Hackballscross and works in Dundalk Credit Union.
Ciara has been rescuing cats with the assist of the three charities for the final variety of years and will probably be utilizing the money raised to assist feral cats by way of a lure, neuter and launch (TNR) programme.
“I’ve all the time preferred all animals particularly cats and would assist any creature in want. I’ve had a hedgehog, pigeons and gulls.”
It was when she was dwelling in Dundalk that she realised that there was a giant drawback with feral cats, with a number of colonies dwelling round city.
“It’s vital that these populations are stored below management by way of TNR programmes and that stray cats are sorted.
Cats caught below TNR programmes run by animal charities reminiscent of Louth SPCA will obtain therapy for fleas and worms along with being neutered earlier than being launched.
A good friend of Ciara’s has designed this hoodie for her to put on as she walks to lift funds for cats in want
Louth SPCA inspector Fiona Squibb confirms that there’s “a massive problem” with feral cats, not simply in Dundalk however all through the county.
“It’s horrendous in the mean time. It has gone again to what it was some years in the past. During the COVID-19 pandemic individuals didn’t hassle with getting their cats neutered so now they’ve all had kittens.”
Fiona says that she is busy doing TNR all through the county.
“I’m going again to Ardee as we speak with two cats out of a colony of eight, in order that’s all of them accomplished Then I’ve to go to Carlingford the place there’s a colony of 25 cats in a farmyard the place 4 or 5 of them are pregnant.”
“Everyone is asking for assist everywhere in the place.”
While Louth SPCA does get a grant from the Department of Agriculture for its work, together with TNR, she says that the cost of neutering so many cats quickly eats by way of their funds.
“If you may have a cat get it neutered,” she urges.
Ciara, who presently has seven rescue cats which might be all “living their best lives”, has arrange a a GoFundMe web page to assist her problem.
There is a free prize draw for anybody who donates with some good costs up for grabs together with a voucher wash, minimize and blow dry in Edge Creative Hair Styling; a €25 voucher for Mackins Leather Goods; a €20 voucher for Mo Chara; a€15 voucher for 23 seats; a £20 voucher for Martin Hardware, Crossmaglen; a€20 voucher for Watters Electrical Ltd and a choice of cat and canine necklaces and keyrings
