In the 28 years, Maire Egan has been running the Kitten Cottage Animal Sanctuary in Virginia, she estimates she has taken in around 11,000 felines. Some time ago, she began a neutering programme so that any kitten over the age of six months that leaves her care is neutered in an effort to keep the cat population in Cavan and the surrounding areas down.
Neutering usually costs €65 but, for this week only, Maire has arranged to offer the service for €20 for anyone who brings their cat to the sanctuary from today, until Friday, 10th. For years now, Maire and her volunteers have been operating a trap, neuter and release policy for the many stray cats in the Cavan area.
A four-month-old kitten can have up to 18 kittens in a year. The sanctuary even rents out traps for €50 so local people can also catch wild cats, arrange to have them neutered and then release them. Maire encourages any cat owner or concerned resident to take part in her week-long project:
