A group of cats living on waste ground in New Cross are in urgent need of new homes as the space where they live is up for development.
Cats Protection is calling for cat lovers across London to come forward and volunteer to take in pairs of ‘inbetweener’ cats that are used to some human interaction but live independently.
‘Inbetweener’ cats aren’t necessarily domesticated, but not feral cats either. They’re used to being in close proximity to humans and tend to form a bond with people who feed them, but spend most of their time outside and are pretty shy.
It’s thought that around 15 inbetweener cats currently live between Besson Street, New Cross Road, and Briant Street on a piece of derelict land that’s earmarked for development.
Although the charity usually neuters and returns inbetweener cats to their natural habitat, sometimes they urgently need relation - as they do in this case.
According to the welfare charity, their current home will be upended once the builders come in meaning they will be effectively evicted from the place they call home.
Busy roads surround the wasteland, so the felines risk being run over once they’re kicked off the development plot.
A well-meaning local resident is currently feeding the cat colony, but the incoming development means they’ll soon need new homes.
Cats Protection is now appealing to people with outdoor space who could share their gardens with a couple of cats to help keep them safe and fed. They’re also offering to provide support and a permanent shelter for the cats if that’s needed.
Speaking to The Standard, Kathy Vanner from Cats Protection said 15 potential leads have come forward since the appeal was launched, but more help is needed.
Ms Vanner highlighted a larger issue facing cat colonies in the capital, as they often form when people fail to neuter their pets.
“These kind of colonies of cats arise as a direct result of people not neutering pet cats,” she said. “There are many colonies like this across London, not all of them are lucky enough to have a regular feeder.”
Alarmingly, the charity is also seeing an increase in kitten litters born outside in poor conditions, with many of the young cats failing to survive.
“Ourselves and other charities just can't cope with the numbers,” Vanner said, adding that one of the best things cat owners can do is neuter their cats.
Cat Protection - which helps 184,000 cats and kittens every year - also offers lots of advice as well as financial assistance to people thinking about neutering their cats.
If you want to help look after the New Cross inbetweener cats, reach out to enquiries@blackheath.cats.org.uk .
