A rescue operation is underway on a remote Scottish island hit by a growing colony of feral cats – sparking fears for wildlife.
The large group of felines started running wild after the death of two local people on Barra in the Outer Hebrides.
Both died months ago and more than 20 felines then left their homes and barns and gathered in a local unoccupied home.
The cats have since bred and their numbers continue to grow.
Kitten season is approaching and experts fear if a cat colony continues to run amok it poses a risk to rare wildlife on the island – particularly birds.
The family who own the house have tried to feed the cats, but they live in mainland Scotland and cannot continue to care for them.
They reached out to local animal charities for help and Western Isles Support for Cats and Kittens (WISCK) has stepped in.
The organisation said it urgently needs to rescue the cats and find them homes, as they are used to being looked after by humans and will die without care.
It posted: ”Over the last several months two locals in the village passed away and their cats, from their barns, also moved to this house where the people are struggling to cope and the colony will continue to grow.
”We knew that with Barra having very few birds, too few to risk an out of control cat colony decimating, and no rabbits having been seen for many years this colony of cats simply can not sustain themselves by hunting.
”Not to mention the fact that all the cats are used to having humans feed them. This is a problem caused by humans therefore we have to step in to help.
”Uist Cat Rescue are overwhelmed at the moment and don’t have the facilities or volunteers to take on such a huge project so after the extended family (who are Barra locals but live on the mainland) had been told by a national animal charity to ‘just stop feeding them’ they contacted us to ask for help knowing if they simply stopped feeding them the cats would die.
”The landscape on Barra couldn’t support all these cats (approximately 20 but more likely many more).
”We hope to trap all the cats, transport to Cat Central, Stornoway and have them neutered over the coming weeks before finding them barn/stable homes throughout the islands. To do this we need your help.
”This situation is very similar to the one we had in Callanish and is so very important.
”Kitten season will soon be here, we know some of these females may already be pregnant so kittens born in care will be cared for until they can find loving pet homes.
”Any help no matter how small an amount will be invaluable to ensuring the health and survival of these cats and the scarce wildlife on Barra.
”Please share with friends and groups to help us get the word out as this is going to be another huge undertaking for us as a rescue.
”Thank you as always for your continued support, we really couldn’t do any of this without you all.”
The charity has asked anyone who can to donate to support the rescue effort.
Volunteers are trying to enact the plan as quickly as possible, especially because they believe some of the cats may be pregnant.
“Any help, no matter how small, will be invaluable to ensuring the health and survival of these cats and the scarce wildlife on Barra,” the spokesperson concluded.
