MORE support will be provided to inundated cat rescue centres across the borough after Barnsley Council supported a motion to better protect animals.
Coun Chris Wray, who represents the Dodworth ward, is an avid campaigner and volunteer in supporting stray cats in Barnsley.
He forwarded the motion which asks for support to be given to cat rescues.
The cat is the second most popular pet in the UK, although some owners have abandoned their pets due to the cost-of-living crisis or other circumstances, increasing the stray population in recent years.
Increased numbers have added pressure and strain on local charities and rescues to ‘previously unseen levels’.
Coun Wray said: “Supporting rescues as I do and having rescued or supported in the rescue of over 20 cats and kittens, this is something I am very passionate about.
“I was extremely proud to bring this motion to the council and I genuinely hope the council will support and help who are fantastic people, putting their hearts and money into a great cause.
“I also want to make it abundantly clear that what I do pales in comparison to the amazing work of staff at Buttons, Noah’s Ark Pet Rescue, South Yorkshire Street Cats and others that I haven’t yet worked with.
“They put their hearts and souls into their work, not to mention many thousands of pounds doing so.”
The motion has been fast-tracked after recent cases shocked the town, which saw one cat - Sooty - narrowly escape death having been shot by a crossbow.
Coun Wray added: “With multiple colonies in the borough, hundreds of stray and feral cats, even signposting and giving people information will help.
“An even bigger help would be promoting and linking to the rescues, driving awareness and attention, which would further support rehoming those that can be, and TNR (trap, neuter, return) those that can’t, but still ultimately improve their lives.”
At a meeting at Barnsley Town Hall last week, the council committed to working with local charities to highlight the services available and to work with local rescues, charities and other representatives to analyse and monitor the number of colonies within the borough.
Council leader Sir Steve Houghton added: “I commend Coun Wray for work he does and those across Barnsley who work similarly to solve this problem.
“As a council we can’t always satisfy the need from charities and groups, but what we’ve seen in recent cases has been absolutely terrible and this has to be condemned.
“We endorse the work of local rescues, charities and other local representatives to analyse and monitor the number of colonies within the borough and to explore, subject to available resources, how council officers can further support these bodies and individuals where appropriate.
“I can assure people we will do as much as we can to help.”
The RSPCA confirmed more cats are being abandoned than ever before, with a 25 per cent increase on figures from 2021.
The RSCPA’s pet welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines said it a ‘really concerning’ picture.
Dr Gaines added: “It’s really concerning to see that animals are staying in our care for longer and that less are being re-homed year-on-year.
“Unfortunately, we believe we’re really starting to see the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.
“We’re also beginning to see more animals coming into our care because their owners simply couldn’t afford to care for them any more or, in the most extreme cases, having been neglected or abandoned due to the rising cost of pet care.”
