Wisbech and Fenland Urged to Address Stray Cat Crisis Through Neutering

Loose has been actively involved in trapping cats and kittens in the area for the past 18 months. In the last three months alone, she has trapped approximately 90 cats, which have been neutered and subsequently released to manage local feral colonies.

She stated, "It is well-known among cat rescues that Wisbech and the surrounding fenland are currently facing one of the worst stray cat crises in the country, and the scale of the problem is overwhelming." In this recent effort, she captured 56 adult cats and about 30 kittens but noted that many more remain unneutered in local colonies.

Her involvement began when she rescued two cats that appeared at her workplace, prompting her to dedicate her evenings to trapping and transporting cats to veterinarians for neutering and medical care, with funding from Cats Protection and Wisbech Cat Welfare.

Loose highlighted the serious health issues many cats are facing, mentioning that vulnerable kittens, some merely a week old, have been found in bramble bushes. She emphasized the preventable nature of the crisis, stating, "If every pet owner neutered their cat, we would not have hundreds of animals suffering on the streets."

She pointed out that financial constraints should no longer be an excuse, as Cats Protection provides vouchers for low-income families, reducing the cost of neutering to just £10. "If people cannot afford £10 to have their pet neutered, then they should probably not own a cat in the first place," she added.

Loose commended the support from local charities, explaining that she could not continue her efforts without their assistance, which includes providing equipment, advice, and covering veterinary expenses.

The public is being encouraged to donate or raise awareness to help reduce the feral cat population in the district.