44 cats and kittens at one Meath property

A total of 44 cats and kittens were found by an ISPCA inspector at a property in Meath,Following a call made by a member of the public to the National Animal Cruelty Helpline recently, ISPCA Inspector Elaine Reynolds discovered a large number of cats allowed to have bred uncontrollably at the property.The cats and kittens were surrendered to the ISPCA and transferred to the National Animal Centre in Longford for veterinary assessment.The property had originally housed three cats, but they had multiplied to this number in only three years due to the fact that none were spayed or neutered. While the cats were found to be healthy, it was a dangerous over-crowding situation as their numbers were increasing at such an unsustainable rate that it was only a matter of time before more serious welfare issues arose. The ISPCA is now seeking responsible new homes for these cats where they will be loved and cared for.ISPCA Inspector, Elaine Reynolds said: “This situation could have been prevented if the owner had neutered or spayed the three cats initially. We need pet owners to be responsible by spaying and neutering their cats or kittens as early as possible. Our centres are consistently at capacity, and it is vital that pet owners help us tackle the issue of pet overpopulation. Neutering and spaying is the most effective way to prevent cat over-breeding and it will go a long way in preventing unwanted litters of kittens from being born in the first place.”Spaying and neutering has also overwhelmingly positive benefits in reducing the risk of certain cancers and curbing behavioural issues