Local feral cat activity is so high that volunteers are taking on the task of taming, de-sexing and caring for the wild felines.
There are so many, that Masterton’s SPCA gets approached about the issue several times a day.
Citing on public misconception of the term ‘feral cat’, centre manager Rebecca Johnston said a true feral cat does not rely on humans and is not often seen.
“What we see are wild or semi-social cats. These cats would have been born on someone’s property and usually come to rely on humans to feed or supplement their food.”
Johnston said wild cats can be dangerous and are highly stressed when contained in a small space like a cage.
“These cats are not suitable for the SPCA to house and try and rehome,” said Johnston.
“The SPCA may be able to accept kittens if they are brought into us when they are young. We can then socialise them and get them ready for adoption.”
There are a few colonies in Masterton, with most of the wild cat population on individual lifestyle blocks and farms.
“Wairarapa has a lot of rural areas, and we do get approached by members of the public needing help to control wild cat populations.”
The SPCA can work on a case-by-case basis to desex wild cats, but there needs to be a plan previously in place for the cat’s wellbeing and future.
Co-ordinator for KittyCat Rescue NZ, Rachel Aaltonen said cat colonies were everywhere “whether you see them or not”.
“There are several known public dumping grounds across Wairarapa and every Wairarapa dump is inundated with cat colonies.”
Skye said colony and stray cat numbers had exponentially grown, aggravated by the pandemic when many vets were closed or not offering desexing services.
From March 2021 to March 2022, the charity rescued 101 cats from Wairarapa to Wellington, and in the following year to March 2023 this increased to 175.
Aaltonen, who receives up to 6 enquiries every day about wild cats, said she didn’t consider feral and wild cats to be in the same category.
“Feral cats are rarely seen by humans, are rarely trapped and live in locations they should definitely not be, such as the wetlands,” Aaltonen said.
“Feral cats are becoming a known issue to the environment and ecosystem and do eventually need to be humanely managed and maintained by local councils and government, SPCA and rescues.
“Not hunters and other organisations not interested in the wellbeing of animals.”
Masterton-based volunteer Lesley Gibson said there are two feeding stations set up at a local colony, where the cats are fed daily.
“This colony has been fed for 50-odd years,” Gibson said.
“My daughter and I trap there daily, sick cats are euthanised, males are neutered, and females are spayed.”
The cats are also ear-tipped and micro-chipped, so they can be tracked through the national database.
Any kittens found are put into foster care where Gibson said they can be tamed, desexed and eventually placed in a new home.
“The colony is not increasing, as far as we can see. I’ve been feeding here for years, so would see or hear new cats,” Gibson said.
“Occasionally, cats are dumped there so the colony will never cease to exist.”
Volunteers run online raffles to raise funds to feed and desex the colony, and Gibson said she and her daughter also trap daily at known colonies.
“Feral life is a hard life for a cat so in some small way we try to help them,” Gibson said.
“Cats don’t choose to be born into a feral colony, and it’s a hard life for those colonies not maintained.”
