An entire Newfoundland community is preparing to relocate because of a generally dwindling population. Over the years members of that community have adopted cats and it appears that some of have been left to breed and then abandoned creating a semi-feral cat community running side-by-side with the human population.
Now that the human population is about to relocate it presents a problem as to what to do with the feral cats. This is happening in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. They’re looking for help to deal with dozens of feral cats who have an uncertain future.
Residents of Little Bay Islands recently voted to resettle their entire community. They have until the end of the year to move before utility and government services are withdrawn.
Little Bay Islands is one of many rural communities in Newfoundland off the northern coast facing ever decreasing population numbers presenting difficult choices. In 2016, 71 people were recorded as living in the town.
One resident, Carol Hull, said that she believes that there are 35 to 40 feral cats living in the community.
Hull has been caring for some of them. She has rescued kittens and tried to find homes for them. Some of the cats are too wild for adoption. Time is running out as to what to do with them. She can’t take them with her and therefore requires help.
Apparently rescue organisations across the province are overwhelmed with unwanted cats.
“There’s a cat problem in Newfoundland and Labrador (and) the entire world,” according to the Exploits Valley SPCA. They say that some of the cats may starve if the population is left without intervention and continues to grow on the island.
Carol Hull believes that the government’s relocation policy should involve support for the feral cats. Her worry though is that they will simply euthanise the cats. She believes that volunteers can help trap the cats and that animal welfare groups can help to rescue them. She desperately wants to rescue them and to save them from being euthanised.
“I’m willing to leave my new home, wherever, and come out here every day of the week as long as there is a rescue group on that boat with me.”
Source: Global News
