Martha Kane, Sliema
Cat feeders do us a service
Marie Wagner, in her letter entitled Feeding Of Stray Cats Gets Out Of Hand, complains about a man who is feeding stray cats in an area of Swieqi not far from where she lives. Since I too feed homeless cats, I felt it my duty to balance things out by clarifying a few points that Ms Wagner may not be aware of.
First of all, the man she spoke about is David Agius, a respected member of the community whose only crime seems to be that, like myself, he cannot close his eyes to the suffering of others including animals, and he does something about it.
People like us (cat feeders) are these days called colony caretakers and we do not go around in a clandestine way. Most of us are very busy people, some with health issues but who still find time for God’s creatures. Our function is not only to feed but we also form part of a national trap, neuter and release programme which is funded by several organisations, including the state which incidentally has just inaugurated a hospital that caters primarily for stray animals.
Now I ask Ms Wagner, what sense would there be for the state to pay for this programme if we are then going to starve these animals to death as would seem to be her wish?
Apart from all this we also take the heartbreaking decision of removing very sick cats from the colony which are then put to sleep humanely if no cure is possible. We even remove dead cats and this is done in order to keep the other cats and the area disease free. Is this not a service in itself? We invest in good quality food which does not attract flies and does not smell and we do clean up the area, if only for the sake of the cats themselves.
The only problem is that there are some kind souls who think they are being helpful by visiting our feeding stations with leftover scraps that are quite unsuitable for cats. There is nothing illegal about feeding near the street since that’s were these poor cats have been forced to live.
People like us have homes full of animals which we took in to appease people like Ms Wagner but we just cannot and will not turn our backs on those left behind, some still wearing the pretty little collars that their owners bought them before the novelty wore off and they kicked them out.
We will go on doing what we are doing. Behind these homeless animals and all over Malta there is an ever growing army of docile but dedicated people ready to defend the rights of these creatures so my advice to Ms Wagner is that she tries to fit into the big picture and leave Mr Agius and the innocent cats alone.
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Michael Broad
Oct 27th 2010, 07:26
I admire David and Martha. All people of Malta should follow their lead. People created the feral cat problem. People have the obligation, therefore, to resolve it and to do so humanely. It is as simple as that, ultimately. The problem is that a few take on the burden of many, which is unfair. And to then criticise these good people is unconscionable.
Anthony Calleja
Oct 26th 2010, 22:10
Once again, well done Martha. Pope John Paul II shows the way especially to those hypocrites in Malta who pretend to be the good and holy with Church, mass, prayers, processions that makes them seem holier than holy and claiming to be superior to animals because supposedly they have a soul and our animal friends dont, and they go to heaven and animals dont. Animals are just as much God's creatures as we and have just as much right to live and live well as us. Indeed they reflect more what God intended in creation than us.These people think that because they never physically hurt an animal, they are in the clear but theirs is a finer cruelty involving abandoning them, allowing them to die of starvation and thirst, get run over, leaving them nowhere of their own and thinking them too inferior to be worthy of adoption. Some priests in Malta instead of opening their eyes like God would have them do, ignore our animal friends and never speak out for them and even do just as bad as some of their followers do to our animal friends.
Martha Kane
Oct 26th 2010, 17:50
The link below is for all those church going ''christian'' individual's who wish that they didn't have to share this world with our four legged friends and by admission would exterminate them all given half a chance . Enjoy it ......i did !!!
http://www.all-creatures.org/hr/hra-popecats.htm
david agius
Oct 26th 2010, 14:50
Thank you Martha.Nobody knows more than you the love for these creatures, one has to have in order to dedicate a part of his life to ease their suffering.We trap ,neuter and release because it is exactly like you put it..They have been forced to live in the street because of mans greed in building every piece of land that he sets his eye upon.While other people spent their spare time entertaining themselves we are busy with the neutering programme to stop them from multiplying.So much other work for their welfare is being done by us which people like Mrs Wagner are not aware of,but no need to go into this. You said it all so well.The least that people like Mrs Wagner can do is to show compassion ,tolerance and clean up her planters of the occassional cat that dirties it. It is such a small price to pay for humans occupying the land which by God's creation belongs to man and animal.How can you blame someone for behaving the way God created him.It is not their fault that they were not given intelligence enough to built toilets.So , Mrs wagner.Stop your selfish ways.Just live and let live.
Anthony Calleja
Oct 26th 2010, 10:46
Well said and well done Martha. You, we and others like us who love our animal friends are their only hope against cruel and selfish people who throw our animal friends out which in civilized countries is a crime in itself, then they would ...let them starve to death or the many other dangers they are exposed to outside from the cold and the wet, the heat and the dry, to being run over and being abused and killed by the same type of people. And these people who make most noise against our animal friends usually are the ones who do much worse in the same things they accuse our animal friends of whether it is noise, dirt and a million other things they find to throw at our animal friends, conveniently forgetting their own sins and excesses and damage they do to the environment, the world and society and their very own neighbours. What downright, cruel hypocrisy! And its stupidity and selfishness to the fore when some people have the gall to say that they should be allowed to starve so that they serve the society by hunting the rats!
anna falzon
Oct 25th 2010, 20:55
@sylvia zammit---- i agree with her, we need education and to do our utmost to reduce numbers which only neutering can do! animals have rights and feelings. I have my own cats and care for a 'colony' as well. i can assure you these cats have personalities and are capable of receiving and giving affection. Mrs Wagner, have you ever heard a mother-cat cry when her kittens are taken away? It's heart-rending! Richard Gere and his wife, both Buddhists, said in an interview how they let their children play with roaches. when asked why, they said: if one can learn to respect the life of a creature, a disgusting one, then how much more will they respect their fellow-man........If we cant respect the needs of these helpless strays, how can we have a society of mutual respect?
vfarrugia
Oct 25th 2010, 19:57
I'd rather have a colony of cats than of RATS!
Vince DeBono
Oct 25th 2010, 21:00
True. But then, a relative actually saw a cat feeding her kittens and a rat !!! Remember that cats hunt for food. As soon as somebody provides this need, hunting is not practised. Then cats will not keep the rodent population in check but live alongside.
Jon Vercellono
Oct 26th 2010, 08:45
That's not true at all, cats retain the natural instinct to hunt regardless of their food source.
T. Farrugia
Oct 25th 2010, 15:04
Quote: ''Behind these homeless animals and all over Malta there is an ever growing army of docile but dedicated people ready to defend the rights of these creatures so my advice to Ms Wagner is that she tries to fit into the big picture and leave Mr Agius and the innocent cats alone''.
Ms Wagner has every right to point out this issue and it is not fair for certain persons to continue to attack her personally. These innocent cats should not be left stray but should be rounded up and taken to the animal sanctuary where these dedicated people, including Mr Agius, can still give a helping hand to care for them under shelter.
Sylvia Zammit
Oct 25th 2010, 17:22
T.Farrugia - are you serious????? Are the few animal lovers who do something to help supposed to make up for the deficit of the thousands in Malta who don't give a damn? If we turned the whole island into a sanctuary for cats and dogs, it would still not solve the problem! (Incidentally - who would take care of the cats in this sanctuary -apart from D.Agius?) The answer is neutering and education - both are long term solutions I know. In the meantime, these poor unwanted strays have every right to food and medical care - and to be protected from people whom I can only describe as heartless. Keep up the good work David Agius and Martha Kane! I never met either of you, but you are people after my own heart.