Editorial: Strays action needed

The Bay of Plenty Community Cat Project aims to dramatically reduce unowned and stray cat populations around the city and wider region. Photo / Supplied

News today of a new project that aims to reduce the number of stray cats on Rotorua's streets should be welcomed by cat lovers and non-cat lovers alike.

The Bay of Plenty Community Cat Project aims to dramatically reduce unowned and stray cat populations around the city and wider region.

In May, the Rotorua Daily Post spoke to a White St business owner who wanted something done about a colony of up to 40 cats of all ages living on the industrial street. At the time, the SPCA estimated there were 40,000 to 50,000 stray and wild cats in the wider Bay of Plenty region, with a number of colonies around Rotorua.

While many locals may never have come across them, revelations there are 20-40 living on and around Eat Streat has a shock factor, given it's where many locals and tourists regularly dine.

The new collaboration of local authorities and animal welfare organisations, funded by the regional council, undoubtedly has the best interests of the animals at heart as well as the interests of the human residents of the city.

In a best case scenario the cats they catch will be looked after and eventually rehomed. Sadly the reality, especially if their numbers really are in the thousands, is that the majority of them will have be put down - though I would love to be wrong.

While that's a distressing thought for animal lovers, it's a necessary evil to control the colonies and protect the wildlife they are preying on.

While it may be tempting to feed the unloved, hungry cats, everyone can agree that's not a long-term solution. Luckily, we now have experts on the job. Good luck to them.