For far too long, feral cats have been ignored and mistreated by society. The feral cat problem is caused by society and therefore it is up to us to rectify the problem. Feral cats are not at fault, they are simply doing what nature intended for them to do - hunt and breed, two activities which they excel at!

Feral cats may be undesirable, however they still deserve respect and humane treatment. Too often, they are poisoned or trapped inhumanely, being further stressed by poor handling and transport methods. Some pest control companies compound the problem by releasing trapped cats into bushland or other areas. This is not only irresponsible, but it also intensifies the problem.

Wags & Whiskas staff have extensive experience trapping and handling feral cats. We ensure that the animals health and welfare are our top priority. Even though some may be too feral for rehabilitation or rehoming, it does not mean that they do not deserve to be handled in the most humane and stress-free way possible.

This used to be what the Wags & Whiskas staff believed, before we started working in the welfare industry.

However, many years of seeing the trauma and suffering that feral cats are forced to endure, has changed our beliefs to one where it is more humane to see an animal humanely euthanased, rather than endure the horrific challenges they face every day, including:

• Road trauma - the unlucky ones survive the intial impact and die a slow agonising death from internal / external injuries
• Infected wounds which become infested with maggots, resulting in a slow painful death
• Starvation
• Dog attacks
• Intentional acts of cruelty

Wags & Whiskas offers both the Trap & Remove and the Trap-Desex-Release program for businesses.

Trapping on business premises is usually performed outside of business hours, as this is when the cats are most active. Depending on the size and health of the colony, multiple traps are most often used.

Cats do become wary of traps if they have been trapped before, or if they have witnessed other cats being trapped previously. To avoid this, an intensive style of trapping is usually the most effective method. This is where Wags & Whiskas will stay on the premises and check the traps regularly throughout the night. Trapped cats are removed when caught, and the traps are reset. This not only ensures that all traps are operational throughout the night, which in turn maximises the numbers trapped, but it also helps to avoid the remaining cats becoming wary of the traps.

It is advisable that the business owner ensures that all food sources have been removed at least 24 hours before a trapping program is to commence, as food is used to entice the cats into the humane traps. This includes informing staff to stop feeding the cats and ensuring there are no open bins which they can scavenge through.

Wags & Whiskas offers both the Trap & Remove and the Trap-Desex-Release program for residential properties.

Trapping on residential properties is most effective when carried out at night. Traps are set in the afternoon, with the property owner contacting Wags & Whiskas when a cat has been trapped. In the case of vacant properties, or where the owners are not present on a regular basis, Wags & Whiskas will attend the property up to three times daily (depending on the size and nature of the colony) to ensure that any trapped cats are removed and not confined in the traps for extended periods of time. The number of traps required depends on the health of the colony, whether they have an alternative food source, and if they have been trapped before.

Property owners need to inform adjoining households that cat traps will be set on their property during a specified period. This is to ensure that cat owning households keep their cats contained to prevent them from also entering the traps. Any domesticated cat (ie a cat not displaying typical feral cat behaviour), or cat which displays identification or signs of ownership (ie collar, tag, ear tattoo, desexed male) will be released. Wags & Whiskas WILL NOT remove any animal which it believes is owned, nor will we set traps on properties where we believe there is a neighbourhood dispute over straying cats.

It is advised that property owners remove all known food sources available to the feral cats at least 24 hours before trapping is to commence.

The Trap & Remove Program is where humane traps are set and any trapped cats are removed from the premises and taken to an appropriate venue (eg vet or shelter) to check for identification.

An assessment will be made on whether the animal is suitable for rehabilitation - if so the animal will be given any appropriate treatment (eg vet check, worming, flea treatment) and transported immediately to a foster carer.

If it is deemed that the animal is too traumatised, injured or unwell for rehabilitation, the cat will be humanely euthanised by an authorised euthanasia technician to prevent any prolonged distress or suffering.

To enquire about our Trap & Remove Program or to make a booking please contact us.  

The Trap-Desex-Release Program is used when property owners wish to have a resident feral cat remain at the property, but take the responsible option of preventing them from any further breeding. Feral cats are great ratters, and it is often for this reason that business owners also prefer this option for a select few of the cats that may be trapped at a property. Wags & Whiskas will transport the trapped cat to and from the veterinarian for the desexing procedure.

An additional cost for desexing is charged, however we have some fantastic vets on board who offer discounted rates for Wags & Whiskas customers. We also recommend that the cats be microchipped. All animals are required to be checked for identification (including scanning for a microchip) upon entering a pound or shelter. Should the cat be trapped at a later date, a microchip will prevent the cat from being euthanised for being feral.

Those who do choose to use this program should acknowledge that they are taking on the responsibility for the cat. This means that should the cat become visibly unwell or injured, all attempts should be made to access further veterinary treatment (including re-trapping if required) for the cat to ensure they do not suffer. Come on, lets face it, that's the least you can do for their years of hard work at keeping any rodents at bay!

To enquire about our Trap-Desex-Release Program or to make a booking please contact us.  

The cost for both residential and business premises trapping programs vary according to colony size and techniques used.

The pricing for all programs includes delivery and initial trap set-up including food, the daily removal of any trapped cats and the re-setting of any remaining traps. Discounts are applied where multiple traps are in use.

To make a booking, obtain a free quote, or to enquire about any of our Humane Cat Trapping Schemes or Programs, please Contact us.

Wags & Whiskas carry out a number of voluntary cat trapping schemes in areas with large feral cat colonies. However we want to do more and that is where you come in. The equipment used for humane cat trapping and the expenses related to rehabilitating and rehoming cats and kittens, where possible, add up considerably. You can become a sponsor to ensure this important work can continue well into the future.

All sponsors (big or small) receive a certificate of appreciation for their donation and pride of place in our Appreciation Page.

Sponsorship can be in many forms including:

• One off monetary donation 
• Donation of goods (listed below)
• Donation of humane cat trapping equipment (listed below)
• Ongoing sponsorship of a cat trapping scheme for a particular colony
• Donation towards desexing of rehabilitated cats and kittens for rehoming
• Donation towards veterinary fees for rehabilitated cats and kittens for rehoming
• Donation of printing supplies to help us spread the word that there is a humane solution to the feral cat problem.

Goods which can be donated include:

• Small cans / trays of cat food for trapping
• Blankets / sheets for covering cages / traps to minimise stress and used as bedding for rehabilitation cats and kittens
• Double cat bowls / stainless steel water bowls for rehabilitation cats and kittens
• Carry cages
• Crates / cages to house rehabilitation cats and kittens
• Kitten food (wet and dry), bottles, teats, biolac kitten formula for rehabilitation / foster kittens
• Flea and worming treatments for cats and kittens
• Litter trays and Cat litter (preferably pellets eg Oz-Pet - no crystal litter as it is too sharp for little kitten paws!)

Humane cat trapping equipment which can be donated include:

• Trap Cover ($65) - used to cover the humane cat traps to ensure minimum stress is experienced by the trapped cat
• Collapsible Cat Trap ($130) - used to humanely trap feral cats - great for cats which are weary of the metal rigid traps
• Throw Net ($150) - used to humanely capture feral cats which may be wary of traps
• Cat Net ($155) - used to humanely capture feral cats which may be wary of traps
• Ezi-Nabber ($220) - used to humanely restrain / capture cats
• Rigid Cat Trap ($250) - used to humanely trap feral cats. STEP PLATE MODEL ONLY - NO HOOKS
• Cat Crush Cage ($250) - Despite its name, the crush is used to humanely restrain a feral cat for injections / transport.

If there is a particular colony which you are concerned about (particularly those which are displaying signs of injuries or illness) please email us with the details including the area which they are located (be sure to include, if known, whether it is public or private property), the size of the colony and the condition (injured, sick, emaciated) of the colony.

For more information on the Wags & Whiskas Sponsorship Scheme, or to make a donation please contact us.

Wags & Whiskas welcomes foster carers to take part in our rehabilitation program for suitable cats and kittens.

Due to the sometimes unpredictable behaviour which the cats / kittens may display in certain circumstances, experienced cat owners, or those with animal welfare backgrounds and feral cat handling experience is desired. Those with experience rearing bottle fed kittens are also required.

The most important attributes of a Wags & Whiskas foster carer is LOTS of patience, LOTS of understanding and LOTS of love.

The first part of the rehabilitation process is to gain their trust, then help them adjust to life in a loving home. The rehabilitation process can take anywhere from a few weeks to six months or more.

To find out more information on our Foster Care Program please contact us.