Hi All,

For a couple of years now I have been feeding some feral cats by my workplace in Speke, Liverpool. There are sometimes up to 6 of them here now and another Kitten has appeared (actually 2 but I managed to capture one a few weeks ago and dropped off at an animal shelter). I have tried ringing round many places but none want to know about either taking them in or getting them fixed so no more kittens. It is costing me a lot of money now (I usually buy the cheap Asda food - 24 tins for £9.50) every week, and I have my own cats at home I need to feed too. The cats seem to be in really good condition and only semi-feral as they gather round me to eat (plus sit on the bosses cat bonnets during the day)! Does anyone know of anyone who can help with either re-homing or spaying the cats so at least they are not breeding more and more - I do feel sorry for them during the winter and when work is closed over Xmas I still trek here Xmas day etc to feed them (luckily the wife is a cat lover too)!

Can i just say you are an angel !! Such a lovely thing to do for the little kitties, i'm glad they have you to care about them ..

I've no advice i'm afraid, have you tried the Cats Protection (used to be over near Edge Lane?)

Yeah I've tried them but I find that they all (especially RSPCA) don't seem to have any interest in helping. I realise that they are probably snowed under but they just don't seem to be bothered in the slightest. I don't really mind feeding them I mainly feel sorry that they live outdoors with no-one to keep them warm! The kitten I rescued a few weeks was lovely - within about half an hour of picking him up he was purring away and rubbing up against me - I hope they have found him a nice home already. The cat had 3 kittens one of which died within a few days so just the one really little one here now and a few a year old then some older than 2. THey have me well trained - as soon as they hear my car engine they wait by the work entrance for me to feed them...

I agree you are an angel. Dont know where you are but have you tried celia hammond they might be able to put you in the right direction.

What a lovely thing you are doing. But you are right, you need to stop them breeding for everyone's sake.

The RSPCA will never ever help feral cats. I thought CP did though.

Almost always it is the smaller local independent shelters which will help with feral cats. The local vets will be the ones who do the neutering so they will know which shelters will help - drop in to a couple of surgeries and ask who they recommend you should contact.

You are their Knight in Shining Armour BobbyDrake

I agree with Lippicote about asking at local vets if they know of any small rescue centres which will help.

I expect you have already contacted many of these listed on this link

http://www.catchat.org/adoption/mersey.html

I've got no suggestion for you, BobbyDrake. Sorry. But just wanted to add that you are awesome and I applaud you.

I entirely agree that the cats need to be "done".

This is not entirely above board but a vet will sort them out for 5 pounds each if the cats/kittens belong to someone on benefits, some places like the CPL will sometimes give vouchers to enable people to get their cats done as well. Good for you for looking after the cats, hope something turns up for you and the kitties

I have heard of the voucher scheme, but I have not heard of vets neutering cats for £5 for private clients because they're on benefits.

There are animal shelters/charities which will pay for neutering if an owner cannot afford it, but equally they paid for feral cats to be neutered.

Poor Cats. It's great what you are doing though.

I know loads of people who have had their cats done this way. Both male and female cats can be done this way, all anyone has to do is produce their documentation to prove they are on benefits, I am in N.I and can only assume its the same situation on the mainland. It would be intresting to know if anyone else on the forum has had their cat done by this method.

Op, they're likely 'six dinner sids' from the estate by Hale Village.

Failing that if you call the vets in Allerton or the PDSA, they'll likely offer you some advice. Also, cats will be keeping the rats/mice away so probs best you stop feeding them so much. I used to work on the Skypark estate by the airport and they were a nightmare!

Think it's amazing what the OP's doing

Well done!

would freshfields animal rescue help?:


http://www.freshfieldsrescue.org.uk/...eral_programme

think you're doing a fantastic thing btw

Oh that sounds like the place you need OP.

Thanks for the kind replies everyone! Yes I will try them and keep you all informed. Was feeding them this morning and the kitten was trying to drag the can of food out my hand!

Bless it. Could you get any photo's. If you have no joy with all the above suggestions try posting on purrsinyourheart they might be able to do something

I see what you mean, it is all part of the voucher scheme which is widely available here (e.g. Cats Protection provides vouchers for £5 neutering). You have to show proof of benefits and use specific participating veterinary practices so it won't necessarily be your own local vet which does it. However as the OP is not on benefits, s/he will need the help of an animal welfare organisation to get these pussycats neutered.

Completely agree, you lovely huge hearted thing you I'm sure they appreciate it x x

Or the cats could MAYBE belong to someone who IS on benefits if you catch my drift.

No need for white lies CP will give a free or heavily discounted voucher for neutering if you explain that you are feeding feral cats...they may even be able to lend you a trap as long as you do the leg work.

I think the PDSA may help - they may neuter for free (or small donation) as the cats are feral and therefore have no owner.

Hiya Bobbydrake

I was in touch with Freshfields a couple of years ago over some feral cats we fed in Lpool 8. I've still got a contact mobile number for a guy named Dave who worked for them if you're interested. We trapped at least 6 cats and he got them neutered and returned them within a couple of days.

Any update on the cats? Hope all ok

I haven't really got any advice but as a fellow Liverpudlian resident may I say that you are "sound as a pound" in my eyes.