The GSPCA Welfare Manager, Lorna Chadwick, is working closely with Sark residents, Gemma and Richard Knight, to humanely manage the Sark feral cat population using a trap, neuter, return program.
With the permission of the Sark Constable and Chief Pleas traps have been placed at key sites and are being monitored closely through out the day. Under the guidance of the States Veterinary Officer, David Chamberlain, and with the help and support of Sark shipping the cats are then being transported back to the GSPCA for assessment.
Feral cats are wild animals, so it is imperative that their mental welfare is at the forefront of our minds and their confinement is no longer than absolutely necessary. They will be provided with immediate care, where necessary, neutered and ear tipped, microchipped and then returned back to the area where they were caught.
True feral cats (as opposed to strays) are highly unlikely to ever become socialised to humans and being kept in an enclosed Shelter environment is likely to cause significant distress and it will be almost impossible to meet the animals’ welfare needs.
This is the reason for the trap, neuter return scheme.
There are contact details with the traps should anyone come across one with an occupant. Lorna returned two cats to Sark this week and visited the colonies to monitor the populations.
We currently have kittens with a fantastic foster Mum Skye who is introducing them to the sites and sounds of a family home; including the Great British Bake Off, which they all seemed to enjoy!
Fosterers like Skye are invaluable in helping these kittens become tame enough to go into new homes. Feral kittens will always have ‘wild cat’ tendencies so these kittens will be carefully placed in quiet homes.
We would like to thank everyone involved in helping these cats.
Please note we have a waiting list for those looking to adopt cats and kittens to register your interest complete an adoption form but please note we have an extremely long list wanting kittens http://www.gspca.org.gg/services/cat-adoption
Also for more feral cat advice please go to http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals/feral-cat-advice
In line with States of Guernsey advice please DO NOT visit the GSPCA if have been outside of the Bailiwick of Guernsey in line with their advice or have any symptoms of Coronavirus and we continue visits to the Shelter for only essential reasons and to please call us on 01481 257261 or email [email protected] before your trip to see if we can help without you coming to the Shelter. For the latest information and advice please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/search/node/coronavirus
The GSPCA continues with all essential services and we plane to phase other services back into operation and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-take-cautious-approach-returning-new-normal-%E2%80%93-gspca-plan-our-services-and-volunteers-retu
With huge challenges on our resources and a drop in income from boarding and donations please help us help animals in Guernsey with our #GSPCACoronavirusCrisisAppeal by donating online via - https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal
During these difficult times help us help animals in need. From donating to Sponsoring a Pen, Buying a Brick for the much needed Wildlife Hospital to our Amazon and main page Wish List, holding a mufti day to a sponsored Christmas dip, here are some of the ways you could help give animals joy.
For volunteering information please visit http://gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or call 257261
To find out more on talks and our education work please email [email protected] or call 01481 257261
Post new comment