Stray cats have taken over an abandoned Welshpool property as concerned neighbours fight to get help

A derelict Welshpool property infested with stray cats has been ignored by local authorities and neighbors insist something must be done.

According to local residents, the owner does not live in the house, and the cluttered garden and dilapidated veranda have become a breeding ground for stray cats.

About 20 cats and kittens appear to be in the front yard, but neighbors claim there are potentially 30 more cats hiding out back.

Self-proclaimed cat lover Linda Watson lives a few streets away and has been feeding the cats out of her own pocket since Boxing Day.

He discovered the property when one of the cats, now suffering from cat flu, took him there.

“I saw a little black kitten in the corner, but it didn’t come near me. I went home, got some food and came right back and watched it run towards the food and drinks,” she said.

“I thought if there was one there must be more, so I followed it into the house and there were cats coming out of the roof, cats coming everywhere.

“I named him Shadow. He finally saved his cubs.”

Miss Watson quickly discovered that the house had been abandoned by its owner, who she said was “eccentric”. She was worried that he was hoarding cats without looking after them.

“I met the owner and he said, ‘they are good, they catch mice.’ But the mice are bigger than the kittens,” he said.

She said the owner allowed her into the front yard to feed the cats, but did not let her out of the backyard where she thought more cats were roaming.

The local community works together to distribute food and water to the animals, led by Ms Watson, who visits at least every other day.

She spends about $200 a week on cat food and milk, sponsored by Petbarn in East Victoria Park and Petstock in Cannington. He also said local vets at the SAI Veterinary Hospital in Willetton were providing “hundreds of dollars worth” of free meals.

But when the number of cats began to increase, neighbors reached out to RSPCA WA.

“They were told it was a ‘shire matter’,” Ms Watson said.

“Then the owner told me the management gave him a letter saying he had to let them come in and trap the cats, and he said no. He wanted the cats there, he said they were mouse catchers and didn’t need human intervention.”

An RSPCA WA spokesperson confirmed to PerthNow that the organization received an online report of the matter in March but was unable to contact the property owner.

“(The online report) came from a member of the public who was concerned about the welfare of at least seven stray cats, namely stray cats, at a vacant property in Welshpool,” the spokesman said.

“An RSPCA WA inspector was assigned to carry out investigations. He was unable to obtain the contact details of the property owner and therefore was unable to confirm whether the cats were owned or stray.

“The inspector confirmed the cats are not currently ill or injured, meaning the issue is within the relevant local authority area.

“The inspector advised the person who contacted RSPCA WA on how to work with local rangers who have powers under the Cat Act.”

Concerns of suspected animal cruelty fall under the Animal Welfare Act 2002, which will be enforced by RSPCA WA inspectors. The Cat Act 2011 addresses issues related to “stray or nuisance” cats and is enforced by local government authorities.

Canning Council Mayor Patrick Hall told PerthNow the city received a report of stray cats in February.

“Since then rangers have been working collaboratively with the RSPCA to address this issue and attempt to capture stray cats near the property,” he said.

“Section 27 of the Cat Act 2011 allows the council to seize cats found on the property without consent or in restricted areas.”

Ms Watson said the City of Canning brought in two cages for neighbors to use to capture the cats, but their hands were tied because the owner refused to allow council staff onto his property.

“There is a law in this country about hoarding cats and registering cats,” he said.

“How about we enforce the law on the owner and say ‘we’re going to fine you for not registering your kittens’?”

According to the city’s cat laws, it is a legal requirement for all cats over six months of age to be registered and neutered by their owners. Residents must also apply for a permit to keep more than two cats.

“We did the best we could. It’s not about the money, it’s about keeping those kitties as good as possible,” Ms Watson said.

“I would love to find someone to help them find housing. I don’t think they deserved to be killed, they did nothing wrong.”