An animal welfare charity has shared advice for holidaymakers who find stray animals
The RSPCA has shared advice for any travellers worried about stray cats they spot on holiday. The animal welfare charity has urged people to do one thing in such a situation.
The experts explained that it’s important to check if cats look underfed or unwell. In a Facebook post, the charity explained: “It’s common to see street cats while on holiday abroad, but not all cats may need our intervention, and it’s important to know how to help them responsibly, wherever you may be this summer.”
The post was accompanied by a video. In the clip, an RSPCA staff member explained exactly what holidaymakers can do to help stray animals. She told viewers: “Here’s how you can help stray cats abroad this summer. It can be tempting to wish to help cats whilst overseas, but not all cats need our help. Do they look skinny or unwell? Or do they look quite well fed?
“You can also check if the cat has had its ears clipped, and what that means is that the cat has been caught, neutered, and then rereleased back into the area.”
The expert continued: “What you can also do is speak to the local people in the area, who may be able to let you know the organisations, or individuals out there, currently caring for the cats. You may also find that at your local gift shop, at your resort, there is actually cat food in there, and that’s to encourage tourists to buy the cat food and feed the cats.
“What you may also be able to do is make a donation. This donation will probably go towards maybe treatment or even the trap, neuter, and release programme.”
Holidaymakers could also write to tourism boards or public officials. For instance, people could send a letter encouraging the local authority to offer their help, the RSPCA said.
“You could even write to those in power, or even tourist boards. You could explain that you love visiting their country, but were sad to see so many cats in need of help, and would love to see an investment into that line of work in the future.”
In the video’s caption, the RSPCA encouraged animal lovers to ‘share this advice with fellow holiday-goers and check out International Cat Care for more information.’ International Cat Care is a global charity. The charity’s website reiterates that cat lovers can help by finding out who is already helping in the area they are visiting.
It said: “Ask about the local people or organisations who are working in the area. There may be individuals, charities, local municipality activity or non-government organisations (NGOs) working in the area to help the cats.”
