Stray cats and the SPCA

I refer to the letter by George Attard Manchè (November 18) in response to a letter by Gita Furber De La Fuente (November 10).

I agree and wholeheartedly support his view that "it is kinder to spay and release rather than capture and kill". However, he has been, perhaps unintentionally, much too hard on Ms De La Fuente. The reference to "an air of irrationality" seems a bit unfair and might have been better expressed as "an air of frustration". Ms De La Fuente's letter is a "plea" for help from a genuine animal lover, not a "diatribe".

Ms De La Fuente did not "knock the SPCA". Indeed, Ms De La Fuente wrote to say that she "agreed to all" that she had been told by the SPCA. She only complained about the fact that a personal cheque from a life member had not been accepted.

Accepting a cheque from a life member of the SPCA, a person known to the committee, should not be a problem. On the other hand, I would emphasise that, when the individual borrowing the cat-trap is not known to the committee, the Lm50 deposit, whichever way it is paid, is not always enough to ensure the safe return of the cat-traps. The important issue here is the real possibility of the misuse of "lost" cat-traps - the real possibility of their being used to drown helpless cats. Checking on the "identity" of the individual borrowing the cat-trap is, to my mind, the most important consideration.

I am very happy indeed that the SPCA is now accepting the spay and release option. In other countries it has been found that it is more efficient to neuter males, given that males can mate with a number of females within the same period. However, it is difficult enough to catch stray cats and having to release a cat because it is of the wrong sex is certainly very frustrating.

I perfectly understand Ms De La Fuente's frustration but, for the sake of the animals, I would urge her not to give up. A solution in the best interest of the animals needs to be found.