I was speaking with a caregiver who told me that she is seeing an increase of dumping in her area. However, she also noticed that when she took some of the cats for sterilisation, they disappeared the same day they were released! When she walked around to try and find out what had happened because they hadn't been trapped, she found some of these cats in homes. She asked some of these owners why they had picked the cat up, and she said they told her that they felt sorry for the cats. She said she thought it was a little too coincidental that they happened to disappear practically the minute they were sterilised - and that they had appeared in the first place as she had suspected they were dumped. She thinks they may now be using her as a free sterilisation service.
At the same time, she noticed that some of the older cats were also thrown out once they were sick or old. It's strange that none of these people would just approach the caregiver. If they were having real financial issues, she's such a kind woman that I am sure they would help out. Having to use strange stratagems like this is just dishonest.
5 comments:
Yes this happened to many caregivers like myself and I would say most of the free loafers were Malay.
If the Malay community accepts that cat issue is a major problem and start taking major proactive measures, I am sure caregivers will be very grateful and authorities will listen if they speak out! We keep hearing Malay saying unfair for them not to keep cats when dogs are allowed. Do speak out loud and clear. No point mumbling and grumbling to caregivers when they ask them to keep their cats indoor!
There was this newly-abandoned, skinny tomcat that i sent for sterilisation not long ago and a couple of days after i released it, i finally found him again with a bright red collar on. Wonder if he's just someone's cat, who irresponsibly lets him out to forage for food sometimes, or someone who decides to lay claim to him since he's been sterilised for "free". Nowadays, I can hardly find him but another caregiver spots him occasionally wandering around.
It is important to ear-tipped female cats or it could be sent for sterilisation again.
Yes those of us who helped to pay for the sterilisation of home cats from Malay families would insist on tipping their ears because they could be abandoned in future. Got to be firm, no tipping, no help!
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