Colonies of Feral cats
By Neil Horner

Parksville/Qualicum News Reporter

Oceanside residents who find a litter of feral cats scratching out a living near their homes don't have to see the animals euthanized at the SPCA, says shelter manager Nadine Durante.

There is another option.

"The BC SPCA supports the idea of properly managed feral cat colonies which are fed and watered on a regular basis and have their veterinary needs attended to and which are provided suitable protection from the elements," she says

Cat colonies exist already in Nanoose Bay

"If someone comes to me and says they have a litter of feral cats on the property and they want to keep them in their natural environment, we will say they can become a feral cat colony."

Under the agreement the resident would sign, the cats, which are too wild to live as companions with humans, would be ear tipped for identification, neutered or spayed by he SPCA. The resident would agree to feed and monitor the health of the cats for their entire lifetime, an average age of seven years.

The resident would have to keep the shelter informed of any changes to the arrangement and would have to arrange for feeding and care of the animals when they go away.

The service, she notes, is by donation.

“I’m totally in support of feral cat colonies.” Durante says. “there are a few colonies in the Nanoose Bay area and sometimes if we have an over-abundance of food here we will give them a donation to help them out. We try to be helpful and supportive.”

She stresses however that feral cat colonies should not be looked at as a dumping ground for any litter that comes along. The residents who make arrangements for their colony agree to look after a fixed number of animals, which can’t reproduce and any additional animals have to be taken through the whole process prior to being released.

She notes as well that the owner of the property where the cats reside has to give the OK for the cats to live there.

Durante notes as well that the local chapter of the SPCA is one of the few in the province that offers this programme.

For details about feral cat colonies, contact Durante at 248- 3811