Eradicating feral cats not the solution
JOBURG - Rats are a major problem in suburban areas of Johannesburg and feral cats can help keep the number of these rodents in check.
Therefore, according to Norwood resident Beata Gianni, a volunteer for Animal Allies, eradicating feral cats is not the solution as they play a major role in maintaining the ecological balance.
Gianni helps in sterilising feral cats using a method called Trap-Neuter-Release which helps in reducing the population of feral cats.
The process involves trapping the cats using a humane cat trap, having them sterilised and their ear clipped, which is necessary for identification so they will not be trapped again. They are then released back to where they came from.
“Trap, sterilise them and release them to the natural environment, as they cannot be taken somewhere else because they are very territorial. If you take a feral cat and move it somewhere else the cat can die,” said Gianni.
She said the method improved the lives of feral cats and their relationship with people living near them and decreased the size of the colonies over time.
“There are so many feral cats around and it is so sad not enough is being done to prevent overpopulation, and it is so simple just to sterilise. One cat and its offspring will produce half a million in 10 years’ time,” she said.
