Feline Friends Ltd is a non-profit organization which was registered in April 2011 in the Cayman Islands. We are a small group of dedicated volunteers whose mission is to break the reproductive cycle of homeless cats through the proven and effective Trap-Neuter-Return method and to also provide food and shelter through our Cat Café program to ensure their healthier survival. We have spayed and neutered in excess of 7,900 cats and strive to spay or neuter at least 60 cats each month.
OUR HOMELESS CATS | TRAP-NEUTER-RETURN | CAT CAFES | DONATE OR HELP OUT | KITTY TIPS
Feral cats are the "wild" offspring of domestic cats and are primarily the result of pet owners' abandonment or failure to spay and neuter their animals, allowing them to breed uncontrollably. They live in colonies and can survive by hunting. They also seek food and shelter around human habitation but are elusive and shy.
There is a large population of homeless cats throughout the Cayman Islands. They play an important role in keeping down the rodent population, but we do need to control the ever-growing population. A pair of breeding cats, which can have two or more litters per year, can exponentially produce 420,000 offspring over a seven-year period.
Removing cat colonies by euthanasia does not work – it only creates a vacuum and other cats will almost always move into the now-available territory.
Studies have proven that Trap-Neuter-Return is the single most successful method of stabilizing and maintaining healthy cat colonies with the least possible cost to local governments and residents, while providing the best life for the animals too. Volunteers will set humanely designed cat traps, using food with a strong odour to attract the cats. When caught, the cats are transported to a veterinarian where they are spayed or neutered, de-wormed then ear-notched to identify them as being sterilized. They are then returned to the same location they know as their home. This creates a strong, healthy, non-reproductive population that guards their territory against rodents and other strays. Tame adults and kittens can be put up for adoption.
The basic concept of the Cat Café is to provide a permanent feeding area for homeless cats. Colonies of cats tend to gather at hotels, restaurants or condominiums where food can be scavenged. Visitors to the island are often upset at the sight of hungry, unwanted cats roaming around. It is therefore recommended that after sterilization, a daily feeding program be introduced. The program is not only beneficial to the proprietor, as cats control the rodent population, but is an innovative and humane way of solving the ongoing problem of homeless cats. A unique sign-posted structure can create a pro-active and positive image.
In order to continue our mission, we depend on the goodwill of the public. We always need cat food, large towels, bowls, traps and cages, as well as volunteers to trap, feed daily, or transport cats. Public donations are our only source of income and are always gratefully appreciated.
Feline Friends also appreciates help from the community, in identifying specific areas where there are a large number of homeless cats congregating. We need all of Cayman to be our eyes - working together we can create a better future for our unfortunate homeless cats!
Please email us at [email protected]
I've Found a Stray I'd Like To Keep. What Do I Do Now?
The first step is a visit to the vet for a thorough checkup, especially if you have other cats at home. Spaying or Neutering is a must. After your new friend returns home, keep him or her in a quiet room, separated, to recover. We have assembled a few tips for new cat owners below.
You Will Need:
What You Must Know:
If You Need Help: