Dealing with the strays problem

While I am in full accord with Kenneth Cassar's letter (October 20), I would like to point out that the situation regarding feral cats is not an entirely negative one, at least not in Gozo.

Some years ago, SPCA (Gozo) instigated a sponsored neutering scheme for feral cats. This has been a very successful programme and, while we know there is still a lot more to do, it is significantly more than the proverbial drop in the ocean. We run a flexible scheme whereby the costs are borne entirely by kind-hearted residents or half the cost is paid by the SPCA.

Finally, there are a considerable number of cases where the SPCA pays the entire cost. Of course, for this programme to work well it entails the help of local residents to assist with the catching of the cats. Our society uses various types of traps, all humane and designed to cause the animals the least possible stress. Our local veterinarian will do the necessary operation without an appointment when dealing with strays and, with modern surgical techniques, it is possible to release cats very soon after the operation with no ill effects. This does entail close cooperation between the society and veterinarian.

Now from a slightly different angle, I would like to make the following observations regarding animals in our towns and villages, speaking from many years' experience.

The practice of leaving garbage in plastic bags on the pavement, while being unhygienic and a dreadful eyesore is also an open invitation to cats and dogs to search for scraps of food. It would be well to point out that many of these animals are not strays at all but animals left to wander by irresponsible owners. Thus, if we returned to old style dustbins with lids there would be fewer food sources for animals and a much tidier environment.

Then there is also the problem of tourists. Here in Gozo summer brings tens of thousands of visitors, many of them animal lovers. Of course, they see cats outside their hotels, apartments and farmhouses and feed those animals for the duration of their stay. With the end of their holiday they return to their homeland with no more thoughts for those "sweet island cats".

But summer doesn't last forever - farmhouses and apartments are closed up and most of Marsalforn and Xlendi come to resemble a ghost town. However, the cats are still there, only now there is no one to feed them, except those dedicated animal lovers who cannot bear to see them starve to death. Is it not time that all tourist accommodation be circulated with pamphlets advising tourists not to feed animals and also explaining the reason why? This could well be tackled by the new Animal Welfare Council.

It is time, once and for all, to stop blaming the animals, the animal feeders, the animal welfare societies and cast the blame firmly on those who are the guilty ones - those unspeakable people who allow their animals to breed indiscriminately and then dump the unwanted progeny as far away from home as possible. Licensing and neutering (particularly of crossbreeds) are needed and should be enforced, as happens in so many other countries. If people cannot be persuaded to be responsible owners then enforcement is the only answer, for the sake of the animals and the well being of every one of us.