Support for Featherston kitty rescuers

THE CAT'S PYJAMAS: Mary Mason (second from left) and Lee Priday (right), the team behind Featherston Community Kitties, receive donated goods from Warehouse Masterton staff.

Since speaking with Midweek, two "crazy cat ladies" from Featherston have been met with an outpouring of support, $1000 worth of goods, and more "community kitties" in need of new homes.

Following the front page article on April 13, Lee Priday and Mary Mason, the team behind Featherston Community Kitties, say they have received "fantastic support".

Their project, set up last year, aims to reduce which is taking on Featherston's feral cat population using the trap-neuter-return method, and socialising and rehoming any kittens which are trapped.

To help them manage the cost of rescuing the kittens from their own homes, The Warehouse Masterton donated donated cat food, litter and litter boxes, scratching posts and other toys, beds and cat treats -- totalling $1000.

"Apparently, some of the staff saw the article and asked the manager if they could help," Community Kitties co-founder Mary said. "To say we were gobsmacked by their donation was an understatement. Everything they've given us has helped so much -- and they've told us we can come back again if we need to."

The increased publicity has also meant an increased workload -- with Mary and Lee fielding more inquiries from Featherston residents about nearby cats which need trapping.

They have also started taking in healthy older cats who need to be rehomed due to changes in the owners' circumstances.

"Now there's no SPCA, it's a bit difficult -- so people are turning to us. For example, we've got a cat with us who was left behind after her owners left their flat. The adult cats will probably be better in homes with older people, who'd find them easier than a kitten."

Mary and Lee, who have also set up a raffle for Community Kitties at SuperValue, say most of the feedback they have received has been positive.

"You get the odd person who says we're just crazy, " Mary said.

"We're also getting a lot of great feedback from our adoptive families, who are really enjoying their kittens -- which makes it all worthwhile."

For more information, go to www.facebook.com/featherstoncommunitykitties.