Furreal Cat Rescue Burnley, led by founder Carla Jade Binns, is working tirelessly to address the pressing issue of feral cat overbreeding in the town. According to Carla, there is a significant “high demand” for neutering services for these cats, with daily messages about the need for spaying and neutering. This simple yet vital procedure—spaying for females and neutering for males—helps to control the overpopulation of cats, a problem that Carla and her team face regularly.
One of the most heartbreaking situations Furreal encounters is the discovery of kittens abandoned on busy roads. “We get messages every day asking for cats to be neutered,” Carla explained. “It’s a non-stop problem. We’re in kitten season right now, with 28 kittens expected to come in over the next two weeks, and so many strays on our waiting list.” The situation is further exacerbated by the ongoing cycle of breeding. Carla stresses that responsible ownership, such as neutering and microchipping pets, is crucial to ending this cycle.
Under current laws, cat owners can face a fine of up to £500 if their cat is not microchipped and registered by the time they reach 20 weeks of age. The constant flow of kittens and strays highlights the urgent need for more action. Furreal Cat Rescue was established in October with the hope of starting slow and training volunteers, but it has been anything but quiet since then.
In addition to running Furreal, Carla also manages her business, CJ’s Dog Walking, and volunteers for the Lancashire Lost Dog Network. She shared her passion for animal welfare, stating, “All my spare time is dedicated to them.” With the help of a dedicated team of volunteers, Carla has been able to rescue 62 stray cats and kittens, and reunite 11 missing cats with their owners.
Furreal’s work extends beyond just rescuing and rehoming cats. The team also addresses welfare emergencies, such as taking in cats surrendered by owners, and prevents stray males from causing accidents by neutering them. During kitten season, unneutered males often chase females, putting both cats and pedestrians at risk. “Every year, we get messages about cats being run over,” Carla added. “It’s usually up to us to pick them up and take them to the vet. Most of the time, they haven’t been neutered or microchipped.”
Furreal Cat Rescue relies heavily on donations and fundraising to continue its operations. Carla hopes to eventually turn Furreal into a charity, which would allow the group to access government funding for necessary equipment, such as traps, as well as cover the costs of neutering and microchipping, which can amount to £160 per cat.
Despite the challenges, Carla remains determined. “Once you’re in it, you have to keep going,” she said. “Some days I think, ‘Oh my god,’ but the next day, you get on with it.” She emphasized the struggle in towns like Burnley, where there are those who are aware of the issue but some who choose to ignore it. Cats often don’t receive as much attention as dogs, which makes their plight all the more pressing.
“I want to concentrate on Burnley and make a difference,” Carla said. “We’re hoping to one day become a charity, get government funding, and grow bigger and bigger.”
To help support Furreal Cat Rescue Burnley, you can donate food or litter through their Facebook page.
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