Cat homelessness is a critical issue in Poland, which is often overlooked. According to the website troskliweoko.pl, the problem is highly underestimated, as official statistics only take into account animals staying in shelters. However, most facilities are reluctant to accept cats. The Troskliwe Oko Association reports that in 2020, out of 92,242 dogs in municipal shelters, there were only 32,507 cats.

It's important to remember that cats have specific needs and a unique psychology, which makes living in cramped and overcrowded shelter boxes very stressful for them. As a result, most homeless cats end up in temporary homes or shelters or with private individuals. Unfortunately, no official statistics are available on the number of cats that are cared for in this way. This underestimation leads to a distorted perception of the reality of the situation, making the issue appear less significant than it actually is. Because of these problems, activists in Bydgoszcz are organising the next edition of the 'KastrAkcja' project.

The "KastrAkcja" project, organised by the Stukot Association, aims to encourage the residents of Bydgoszcz to catch free-living cats and bring them to a veterinary surgeon for neutering. If needed, the association can also assist in catching the cats. The best part is that the procedure is free of charge. The activists want to address the problem of homeless cats in Bydgoszcz and are determined to catch as many as possible.

"We aim to castrate as many cats as possible to prevent animal homelessness in Bydgoszcz. The number of city cats is increasing every year despite the significant amount of money spent on neutering them. Therefore, we are making every effort to reduce this overpopulation. Our main priority is to ensure that these cats are not only in fewer numbers but also in good health. We can achieve this only when we have control over their population," said Joanna Studzińska, President of the Stukot association in Bydgoszcz, in an interview with Radio Eska.

If you don't want to catch homeless animals by yourself, you can contact the Stukot association, and their activists will come to the location with the necessary equipment. Alternatively, if you prefer to catch the animal yourself, the activists can provide you with a carrier or a cage.

Once captured, the animal will be taken to a veterinary clinic that has signed a contract for the 'KastrAkcja' project. The animal will receive care from the vet for 24 hours and then be released back to where it was found. You can easily recognise animals that have received treatment as they will have a clipped ear.

This year’s "CastrAction" will start in March and is divided into two phases.

"The first phase will target cat owners who have not yet neutered their pets and would like to do so. They will be able to apply to eight clinics offering reduced prices for neutering services during this period. In the second phase, we will focus on encouraging the neutering of free-living cats that can be caught," said Piotr Włodarek from the Stukot association in an interview with Radio Eska.

Source: eska.pl