An animal charity is urging cat owners to take advantage of their CatSnip programme to help to tackle the island’s rising feline population.

Deborah Titterton Narraway, the SPCA’s interim executive director, told The Royal Gazette that the scheme was designed to reduce the number of unwanted cats and kittens and leave the charity with a “more sustainable number” to rehome.

“CatSnip provides funding assistance to private cat owners to have their cats spayed and neutered to reduce the unwanted cat population,” said Ms Narraway.

“It has been running since December 2013, and to date the SPCA has assisted with funding for over 285 privately owned cats at a cost of approximately $50,000.

“The positive trend is that people are spaying/neutering their cats at a younger age; 71 per cent of these cats are under the age of one year.”

Ms Narraway’s call was echoed by veterinarian Andrew Madeiros, the practice manager of Ettrick Animal Hospital.

“The problem of Bermuda’s increasing cat population is obvious to all and has both health and humane consequences,” Dr Madeiros said.

“A lot of the feral population suffer because they have no owner and are out fending for themselves.

“This time is traditionally when kittens begin to arrive, so it is a good time to tackle the problem by getting their cats spayed or neutered.”

To apply for funding visit the SPCA website, www.spca.bm, and complete and submit the two-part application form.

The vets charge the SPCA for their services but at a deeply discounted rate as part of the drive to reduce the numbers of unwanted cats and kittens in Bermuda.