Very sadly, in Sydney, stray cats – mums with babies, adult cats, orphaned babies – are being found everywhere in large numbers. Rescue is unable to absorb all the strays anymore. If you want to help the cats, you will likely have to be proactive in the process. Rescuers are mostly overworked volunteers who have full time jobs. Same with the people who feed colonies and carry out TNR in their areas.
People are creating this awful issue for the cats. Many will not desex then they chuck their cats out the door when they get pregnant. The numbers of strays are overwhelming the in the western suburbs of Sydney particularly and growing in all areas of Sydney every year.
IF YOU ONLY HAVE ONE OR TWO STRAYS – ACT NOW BEFORE YOU HAVE 10 THEN 20 AND 30. It doesn’t take long for that to happen.
FRIENDLY CATS – Friendly cats can be rehomed but it gets harder if they are shy as not many people are willing to adopt shyer cats. Contact your local rescue groups, Animal Welfare League, RSPCA, Cat Protection Society – you might luck out and find one has a space. Generally, rescue is full all the time. If someone has a space in a while, get the cat Desexed while waiting so you don’t end up with kittens. Please note however, that not all groups (including the RSPCA) are No-Kill. So we suggest getting clarification when you contact any group that, if they agree to take in the cat or kittens, what will they do with them.
UNFRIENDLY CATS – CANNOT be rehomed. Rescuers who take in unfriendly cats are often hoarders so be extremely careful and do your homework before handing over an unsocialised (feral) cat to anyone. The cat will not be better off. Only hand over if you are confident the cat is going to get one on one care in the home of an experienced foster carer as an only cat or only with a few other cats. A year or two later the cat may be social enough to find a home and it’s only a maybe. There is no guarantee. This is why most rescuers recommend TNR for unsocialised cats. ALL shelters/pounds will kill unfriendly cats – even those who purport to be No-Kill.
What’s involved with trap neuter release/return
Here is some helpful information from Alley Cat Allies worth reading
//www.alleycat.org/resources/how-to-help-community-cats-a-step-by-step-guide-to-trap-neuter-return/
As soon as reasonably possible after finding a lost or stray cat or dog, you must take the animal to:
- the local council in which it was found or allow a council authorised officer to collect the pet from you; or
- a local vet that agrees to accept lost pets (providing a pet reunification service is voluntary for vets); or
- a registered animal shelter; or
- a person or business that has an 84Y agreement with council where the pet was found.
If you reunite a dog or cat directly with its owner rather than following the legislative requirements, you may be fined.
Stray livestock
For issues concerning wandering or inadequately confined livestock, call your local council for assistance.
If you find a sick or injured native animal, call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186 for advice on what to do.
Find out who to contact in a wildlife emergency (such as the local wildlife rescue shelter) and tips on safely handling injured animals.
Wildlife Victoria
Phone: (03) 8400 7300
Wildlife Victoria maintains a wildlife care and communication network across Victoria which includes:
- volunteer wildlife shelters
- rescuers and transporters
- emergency services
- government agencies
- commercial operators.
Using this extensive wildlife network, backed by a sophisticated database, they can respond swiftly and effectively to all wildlife rescue situations — from orphaned ducklings to injured adult kangaroos.
Almost everyday we get phone calls from people who have found themselves in possession of a little stray kitten – or sometimes even a litter of stray kittens!
Unfortunately due to the number of stray cat colonies around Sydney there is always an abundance of homeless kittens. Despite the good intentions of the community to Trap-N-Release (TNR), this problem will not disappear anytime soon.
As such, we have made a guide to ensure the best outcome for the kittens.