Town talks tough as stray cats strut

A culling programme is underway in Woodville to rid the town of hundreds of stray cats. Photo / Supplied

WOODVILLE is struggling to cope with an invasion of stray cats and a cat culling programme has begun in the town.

In some areas of town unwanted cats are running wild and houses in those streets are becoming less desirable places to buy or even to rent, Robin Winter, chairman of Woodville Districts Vision said.

"These cats are fighting, stealing food, spreading disease and continuing to breed," she told the Dannevirke News. "In some parts of town you can walk down the street on dusk and see 30 or 40 cats. Nobody can get near the stray cats so they can't be de-sexed and they're reproducing like mad. At this rate we'll end up needing a pied piper.

"This is a major problem and for some reason people seem to dump cats here in Woodville and we have kind-hearted, elderly women with 30 cats they're feeding."

There are an estimated 150 stray cats roaming in the town and a community-led initiative - a stray cat culling programme - has begun. "We need to get rid of the increasing unwanted cat population in town," Robin said.

"Woodville Districts Vision have got the culling programme under way and have already donated $100 to euthanase 10 cats, but it's really about the people who are out there doing the trapping."

Stray cats will be trapped and euthanased and Robin said all precautions are being taken to ensure it's just stray and unwanted cats which are trapped.

"However, as we don't want to trap your precious moggie by mistake, please put collars on your beloved pets, keep them at home and if they are not de-sexed or microchipped, please do this as soon as possible," she said.

The trappers are working voluntarily, but euthanasing the stray cats will cost $10 a cat.

Supported by Mako Mako Kennels, the Dannevirke SPCA, and Woodville Districts Vision, the project aims to redress the balance of cats in Woodville, with residents being urged to de-sex their pets as well.

Robin said donations could make a big difference to this community-led initiative and while Woodville Districts Vision has already donated $100 to euthanase 10 cats, they would appreciate your donations. They can be made to BNZ Account No: 020 796 0039591 00.

Feline facts
Did you know a female kitten, if not de-sexed, can reproduce herself 82 times in just two years?

Who to call
The project team in Woodville is headed by Sandy (Phone 376-8904 or 027 5599844). Anyone with a stray cat issue, please advise Sandy of the location. If you have a question about the project process, please contact the Dannevirke SPCA on 06 374-9849, 0277 262625 or e mail dannevirke.spca@xtra.co.nz