Keep cats inside, Masterton owners warned

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Cat owners have been warned to keep their pets indoors next Wednesday night when SPCA trappers round up stray moggies at a Masterton park.

The cats are part of a colony of strays at Queen Elizabeth Park which Masterton district councillors want removed.

Wairarapa SPCA manager Val Ball said yesterday five stray cats were removed from the park during an initial round of trapping last week and traps would be set next Wednesday.

"We have a fairly good idea which cats we're after and a good owner will keep their pets indoors on Wednesday while the trapping is going on."

Mrs Ball said the cats were not being "instantly put down" and there was a grace period when they would be checked for possible rehoming.

One of the five already caught had been fostered, three were at the centre and one had been euthanised.

Anita Wilson, who lives near the park, said she was concerned that her four cats could be caught up in the trapping.

Masterton council officers had since given her four identification tags for her pets to wear.