Vouchers scheme to encourage neutering of cats

A family-run organisation is running a successful scheme to neuter stray cats, with more than 1,000 felines undergoing the operation last year.

The Cat Care Association, run by Mignonne and Alexander D' Agata, has designed vouchers which can be presented to a vet for a stray to be neutered. The vouchers can be bought for the subsidised rate of Lm5 and given to the vet of the client's choice. The association will then pay the vet the remaining costs of the operation.

Last year the association spent about Lm8,000 on the scheme, which is supported by D'Agata Marine in Gzira, donations and fund-raising events.

Mrs D'Agata said the scheme was supported by practically all the vets on the island.

The couple, who share a deep love for animals, set up the association nine years ago because they felt they could no longer stand helpless in the face of the growing problem of strays.

"We used to feed cat colonies and we were very sad to see the skinny strays looking so sickly. We thought it would be best if we tried to control the situation, rather then set up a sanctuary," she said.

"Feeders normally start off feeding just one cat they feel sorry for but before they know it they have about 12 outside their door - we are there to help these people," Mrs D'Agata said.

Asked if they had witnessed any decrease in the number of cats roaming the island in search of food, Mrs D' Agata said she believed the voucher scheme was working.

Many good-hearted Maltese spent a portion of their income on feeding animals because they could not bear to see them starve to death, she said.

On the other hand, neighbours looked on the strays as a problem and Mrs D'Agata said cats were sometimes poisoned.

The couple appealed to local councils to cooperate with animal organisations in their locality and help them in any way they could, be it financially or otherwise.

"We feel that the future is looking bright for the animals. People are becoming more aware of the problems around them and are taking action."