Guernsey Animal Aid at Les Genats Estate. Left to right Julie Queripel, Sue Vidamour and Samantha Wallace. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0615275)
AN ANIMAL charity is visiting housing estates to offer a solution to the island’s cat problem.
Members of Animal Aid have been door knocking at Les Genats Estate to offer owners who cannot afford to pay, free neutering and spaying service for each feline.
‘Guernsey has such a big cat population problem that we just have to get to the root of it,’ said Animal Aid founder Sue Vidamour.
She said there is a huge surplus in its cattery.
‘There are lots of cats waiting to come in also and our cattery manageress is tearing her hair out,’
Animal Aid is offering to organise and pay for the operation for each animal.
‘We would rather help people neuter their cat than have to deal with loads more poor kittens,’ she said.
‘Cats can start breeding at about six months and can have litters three times a year, with maybe five kittens in each litter, so the problem can grow very quickly and it will only get worse if we don’t deal with it,’ she said.
Anyone who wishes to take part in the offer has to fill in a form explaining how many cats they have and Animal Aid will organise a visit for them at Isabelle Vets.
So far 30 people have signed up.
The cost of each operation is £80, which Animal Aid will cover.
‘It would be fabulous to receive donations from members of the public who are sympathetic to the cause and the animals,’ said Mrs Vidamour.
‘Some people cannot afford to help their animals, but with donations from those who can afford to help we can try to make a difference,’ she said.
- For more information and to make donations call 07781109745 or visit www.guernseyanimalaid.org.gg.
Article posted on 18th August, 2008 - 11.30am
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27 Article Comments
We are far too soft on cats - they are a public nuisance. They kill wild birds and are often allowed to roam freely with no respect of others property from their owners. Owners need to take more responsibility - they should be licenced and prohibited from roaming outside their owner’s property without a leash - like dogs. Other animals are culled when the population becomes too great - why not cats?
Incidentally….before the big fuss comes: Yes I’m aware that cats only do what comes naturally to them. Fair point - but then again so do rats, mice, cockroaches, ants, slugs and all the other animals we regularly cull when their population gets too large or they invade our property. Only difference is that cats are (in some people’s opinion) cute, furry and cuddly. That’s why, like dogs, they need licencing and controlling by their owners.
What about those of us with mortgages? who despite working full days and overtime still struggle? It seems a lot of help is given to people in States houses and we get forgotten about.
hysterical, Paul, very funny, ooooo how i do like to see people having a joke on these forums!! wonderful sense of humour you have paul. aaaahhhhh one can just imagine all these cat owners strolling along the beach with their cats on leads!!
Paul, I understand from recent news that a culling of one cat did take place quite recently. The police are currently investigating.
Hopefully those “cullers” are not reading and being comforted by your thread.
Somehow I doubt the cat killers are big readers…
I just think that people need to realise the responsibilty of a cat, and that if you wish your cat to just roam around, get them them spayed and nuetured and if you cant afford it then dont get a cat!
Im sure Animal Aid have more deserving peoples’ pets to look after than trying to do the best for irresponsible owners who shouldnt have pets!
Vic: to clarify the obvious - there is a huge difference between an official, organised, humane culling of an animal population that has grown too large (even the cat lovers at Animal Aid are saying it’s a problem) and some thug kicking a cat to death.
Paul…..and it is important you declare that fact from the outset…you know how folk dumber than animals can mis-interpret things….
Nice comment Lisa - unfortunatly in this day & age, people that try to do their own thing & privately own or privately rent are the ones that suffer the most - the States of Guernsey actually punich the common man for trying to have a life. Whilst I don’t agree with it I can see why people do seek benefit - it is the easiest way out & after all - after rent & bills etc they get more to spend per month then the rest of us!!
Vic - sadly I think you’re probably right on this occasion. In this topsy-turvy world where “rights” have replaced responsibility there are those who will use the slightest excuse to justify wrongdoing, thus (as you say) making pin-point clarity in pointing out the obvious necessary.
Lisa you don’t have to be a States tenant to get help from Animal Aid. Neutering is an effective and humane method of reducing the feral cat population. States tenants are an obvious target as this iniative will reach both those who genuinely need a hand and the feckless who don’t really care about their pet’s welfare.
Paul - without cats the rodent population would be much higher. Cats by their very nature are hunters and perform a service. They are the most elcological way of controling vermin whilst at the same time give a lot of pleasure to those of us who enjoy having them as pets.
Here in NZ feral cats are a significant problem. The local council fund free spaying for pets, and outside of town all free-roaming cats are regarded as vermin. They prey on our native ground-nesting birdlife, and are an alien species.
any unwanted cat should be put down. They are a menace to the environment and an ecological disaster to many of our hedgerow birds. I’ve never understood cat owners who claim to be animal lovers. They must be bird haters.
Cats are a nuisance that can spread disease just like rats. Cat owners are far too irresponsible. You never here an outcry about cat owners not clearing up after their pets yet I have to do it on a daily basis in the garden so as not to risk disease being spread to children.
That is a disgusting comment Jackie. I have two cats who are indoor cats due to them being flu carriers, I also have a several birdhouses, feeders, baths etc in my back garden. I am a true animal lover and no unwanted animal should be put down when there is a chance of them being rehomed with responsible owners…
and even if I did have cats who were allowed outside it doesnt mean I hate birds - thats just ridiculous!
and even if i had cats that were allowed outside that doesnt mean i dont like birds - thats a ridiculous thing to say! Its nature.
Truly ridiculous
I think Jackie for you to say that people who like cats hate birds, is just absolutely ridiculous -
It’s the Great Big Circle of Life.
Cat’s do serve a purpose like every living thing.
They can spread disease but so can humans!
(The common Cold)
What about the people that come out of the pubs and clubs in the early hours of the morning, shall we put them on a Lead!!!.
A vast majority Urinate and Puke everywhere.
Spread of Disease in my book!
Think about it. In the US there are 90million cats and account for untold devastation of wild life. You might not like the facts but the RSPB estimate that cats kill up to 13 million hedgerow birds a year in the UK. Cats are an environmental menace.
Its nature Jackie, I like all animals but how can you be an animal lover when you say things about having cats put down that are unwanted?
THIS IS A QUOTE FROM THE RSPB WEBSITE
Despite the large numbers of birds killed, there is no scientific evidence that predation by cats in gardens is having any impact on bird populations UK-wide. This may be surprising, but many millions of birds die naturally every year, mainly through starvation, disease, or other forms of predation.
W H Bonney i think you have gone from the cat point to benefits which was not the topic, Oh and just to clarify NOT everybody who resides in states accommadation live on benefits, some of us work very long hours for disgusting pay and can not afford mortgages…
Well Lisa, I’m afraid the RSPB are going to say that aren’t they. They want the cat lovers cash.