Group making progress in feral feline problem
But Cat Action Team says much more work to be done
Members of P.E.I.'s Cat Action Team say they have made great progress controlling feral cat populations in the O'Leary-area.
The team was handed a $20,000-grant from PetSmart Charities last summer.
Since then, volunteers have brought 220 feral and stray cats to the O'Leary veterinarian clinic to be spayed or neutered. The team has also found shelter for many of the cats.
"We've found barns, farms, buildings for them, and some people have made real pets of them, so there's some nice stories out there," said Gayle Adams of the Cat Action Team.
Volunteer Krista Adams said cat numbers are still out of control in other areas of West Prince.
"It's hard to keep track of the numbers because every day somebody else is finding more cats or kittens, and then they're repopulating if they don't catch them in time," she said.
Gayle said the team hopes to get another grant from PetSmart to help other communities with feral cat problems.
"O'Leary area is fine now. But there's other areas like Tignish, Alberton, and the surrounding districts that have called to say they've got 30 plus cats," she said, "And with spring coming now, there'll be kittens."
Dr. Wade Sweet, a local veterinarian says feral cats are hard on bird populations and are more susceptible to disease.
"If we have a feral cat reservoir that has these diseases, they can get passed onto our house pets ," he said.
In the meantime, Krista said it's important for pet owners to do their part.
"You do have to get [your pets] spayed or neutered," she said.