Kitten control

A meeting was held late last year, attended by Karmen Tedesco, of Luqa Primary School, Fiona Brennan, of Hakuna Matata and residents from Luqa, where a lot of cats live in the valley.

The subject was raised in the school's Christmas news letter and the same news letter was put on display on the school's noticeboard of events, at the school gate.

During the week before the school Christmas party at the school Janice Chetcuti, animal awareness coordinator, education division, organised a Pet Day. Children were invited to take their pets to school, with an admission fee paid for each pet. This was donated for the dogs at the Hakuna Matata.

Each child and pet received a certificate. The subject of neutering cats was introduced to the students and the children learnt how all of us as citizens can help in our society. Through neutering cats, one can help keep the number of stray cats under control so there will be fewer unhomed cats which at times suffer from hunger, bad weather and abuse. This project will help these poor animals and residents alike.

Some people had already contacted Hakuna Matata, the dogs' sanctuary outside Siggiewi, and they are willing to help catch these cats, with the appropriate cages which will be provided by the NGO Cat Society.

There is also a need for somewhere in which these cats can stay during the post surgery period, which usually takes two days. If this place isn't found, some pens could be built in the valley to offer the required shelter.

Students show a great deal of responsibility when taking part in this project, which requires the united help so many people to make it work.

Thankfully it seems that help is growing.