Llangollen Railway Feral Cat Problem

[TPO]

Cats Protection will step in if asked, and capture them for rehoming or neutering. I have one of them here, she's a brutal yet loving cat. We had loads of them at the UKAEA Harwell site I work at, they got neutered and ear clipped. I believe someone in senior management loved cats!

Yes, and some branches will also find new homes for 'working cats.'

When the local 'wildlife' is mainly comprised of rats and mice, such feral (trapped, neutered, rehomed) cats are an effective rodent control system, and one which is both more effective and lower impact than leaving boxes of rat poison all over the place.

The main cause of little birds disappearing in UK is human activity. Not a lot of food or nesting places for them when trees are cut down and driveways paves over for car parking. Similarly the popularity of 'gardens' comprised of hard paving, furniture and the occasional potted plant. And don't get me started on fake grass.......

But easier to blame a cat than admit that human lifestyles are an issue.

TPO

 

[Meerkat]

But easier to blame a cat than admit that human lifestyles are an issue.

Most cats are around due to human lifestyles - they are pets.
And humans being a problem doesn’t stop cats being a massive problem for wildlife.

 

[Titfield]

The main cause of little birds disappearing in UK is human activity. Not a lot of food or nesting places for them when trees are cut down and driveways paves over for car parking. Similarly the popularity of 'gardens' comprised of hard paving, furniture and the occasional potted plant. And don't get me started on fake grass.......

I am heartily fed up of "Phil and Kirsty" and "George" "Martin, Dion and Tommy" and their constant exhortations to build over gardens, put down hard surfacing over natural habitats.

 

[driverd]

...Perhaps run a "Sponsor a Pussy" marketing campaign...

May appeal to a slightly different audience than intended...

 

[Titfield]

May appeal to a slightly different audience than intended...

Given how desperate most media organisations are to fill space, such a campaign may generate much media interest in the LLangollen Railway.

Or perhaps they could pictures of the pussies on only fans. That might raise some much needed revenue.

 

[StoneRoad]

A TNR scheme would be the best solution ... they'll also need chipping. I suspect that Cats Protection will be willing to help. Catching them might be the stumbling block. Some semi-ferals are justifiably wary to the normal traps.

Once released the cats will continue to make rodent control patrols, much better than using poisons.

Many years ago, Boston Lodge had quite a few cats. It wasn't usual to find one or other of them sleeping on the footplate - or in the carriage works. Technically, Johnny & Katie Halsall were "responsible" for keeping an eye or two on them. I don't know about the current situation.