Louth woman walking 55 hours and 55 minutes in May for cats in need
Ciara Derby and her cat Molly who she rescued
A friend of Ciara's has designed this hoodie for her to wear as she walks to raise funds for cats in need
A Co Louth cat lover has set herself the challenge of walking 55 hours and 55 minutes the month of May to raise funds for three charities helping cats - Louth Society for the Prevention of Cruely to Animals, the Cat and Dog Protection Association of Ireland, and Liffey Cat Club.
"There are estimated to be around 200,000 feral cats in Ireland, so giving. one second to each cat makes up 55 hours and 55 minutes so I’m walking that length of time this month,” says Ciara Darby who lives in Sheelagh, Hackballscross and works in Dundalk Credit Union.
Ciara has been rescuing cats with the support of the three charities for the last number of years and will be using the money raised to help feral cats through a trap, neuter and release (TNR) programme.
"I’ve always liked all animals especially cats and would help any creature in need. I’ve had a hedgehog, pigeons and gulls.”
It was when she was living in Dundalk that she realised that there was a big problem with feral cats, with several colonies living around town.
"It’s important that these populations are kept under control through TNR programmes and that stray cats are looked after.
Cats caught under TNR programmes run by animal charities such as Louth SPCA will receive treatment for fleas and worms in addition to being neutered before being released.
A friend of Ciara's has designed this hoodie for her to wear as she walks to raise funds for cats in need
Louth SPCA inspector Fiona Squibb confirms that there is “a massive problem” with feral cats, not just in Dundalk but throughout the county.
"It’s horrendous at the moment. It has gone back to what it was some years ago. During the COVID-19 pandemic people didn’t bother with getting their cats neutered so now they’ve all had kittens.”
Fiona says that she is busy doing TNR throughout the county.
"I’m going back to Ardee today with two cats out of a colony of eight, so that’s them all done Then I have to go to Carlingford where there’s a colony of 25 cats in a farmyard where four or five of them are pregnant.”
"Everyone is asking for help all over the place.”
While Louth SPCA does get a grant from the Department of Agriculture for its work, including TNR, she says that the cost of neutering so many cats soon eats through their funds.
"If you have a cat get it neutered,” she urges.
Ciara, who currently has seven rescue cats that are all “living their best lives”, has set up a a GoFundMe page to support her challenge.
There is a free prize draw for anyone who donates with some nice prices up for grabs including a voucher wash, cut and blow dry in Edge Creative Hair Styling; a €25 voucher for Mackins Leather Goods; a €20 voucher for Mo Chara; a€15 voucher for 23 seats; a £20 voucher for Martin Hardware, Crossmaglen; a€20 voucher for Watters Electrical Ltd and a selection of cat and dog necklaces and keyrings
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