Missing Cats at Risk of
Violent Death
Cupar Animal Trust Shelter (Cupar CATS) campaign continues to make cat owners in Fife and surrounding areas aware of the ever rising number of cats going missing in the area. A tenfold increase in the number of cats missing has been reported in the weeks following our original campaign launch highlighting the threats presented to our cats on the Kingdoms Streets.
In the last few weeks alone several reports have been received from owners where 2 or more of their cats have vanished within days of each other. Reports are coming in from Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline, Glenrothes and more recently in areas surrounding Cupar. Sadly the possibility that many of these are hunted and used as bait for the horrific so called sport of dog fighting is all too real. Cats hunted in this way will have a torturous, painful death.
Launched in the Dunfermline Press newspaper (see here) in August 07 we raised awareness of the number of cats going missing and broadcast an alert to the public. Our Founder Jan Liddle, said "The public have to realise that there are more dangers to cats in today's society than just stray dogs and traffic and that cats are going missing in sizable numbers in concentrated areas".
Based on our own experiences, cats involved and concentration of cats disappearing over recent months we do believe that this makes up a substantial part of the numbers missing. We also suspect that other reasons cats are going missing are that they are being sold on for money or particularly distinctive cats are potentially being taken for their skins.
We are desperately urging cat owners to please keep their cats indoors especially in light of recent reports of multiple cats missing from single homes.
Sarah Ross, Secretary says "The school of thought that cats must have their freedom outdoors is misguided. Cats can happily live as house cats never leaving the home. The key to ensuring your cat is happy in the home is providing enough stimulation in the form of toys, activity centres and a playmate if needed.
There are also other alternatives to implement to secure your garden for your cat ensuring that if you insist on letting your cat out, that it will be safe and secure. This can be in the form of cat runs or fencing."
If you have lost your cat or would like more information on measures you can implement to keep your cat safe then please contact Sarah Ross at the Lochgelly Branch from where our comprehensive Lost & Found service is based on Tel 01592 783732.
