THE organisation Feral Cat Care is encouraging owners of domestic cats to neuter and microchip their pet as part of their scheme to control the growing number of feral cats.

Lynda Downton, co-ordinator at Feral Cat Care says the aim of the charity has always been to introduce a better quality of life to feral cats and to control their number by neutering.

Celebrating their 20th anniversary, the charity decided to tackle the growing problem of feral cats in the area.

During February and March the charity are offering to microchip domestic cats for free and to neuter a male for £5 and a female for £10, which usually costs around £70.

Lynda said: “Cats are meant to be neutered at six months, however a lot of people cannot afford it.

“We often get litters of kittens in that haven’t had the best start and have been born in places like under a shed and therefore are terrified of human contact.

“It takes us about three or four weeks to tame them and they are more difficult to re-home.”

The charity ran the scheme two years ago and is now hoping to build on its previous success.

The offer began in January and due to its success they have extended it until March.

They feel the scheme will be key in helping to tackle what is becoming a growing problem in the area and putting increased pressure on the charity.

When first opening in 1995 the charity was focused on farm cats, however, they have since extended and feel that their focus should be further to domestic cats.

The company has a shop in Dorchester and Portland that helps to fund the charity, but otherwise they rely on donations.

Lynda told the Echo that uneutered domestic male cats can become strays by simply wandering to look for a female cat, which leaves them having to scavenge for food and often entering other cats territories.

The longer the cat is a stray the warier they can become of human contact.

Lynda said: “We are encouraging owners to neuter and micro-chip their pet as, should the worst happen and their cat becomes lost, the microchip will enable cat and owner to be reunited, and the neutering will prevent uncontrolled breeding.”

For further details contact Lynda Downton on 1305 871 656 or visit www.feralcatcare.org.uk