Did you know that one unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce over 10,000 kittens in just 6 years? It may sound unlikely, but it’s true.

All over the world there are colonies of free-living (stray or feral) cats and dogs which breed to the limits of available food and shelter. In tourist areas the numbers of animals grow faster, due to the additional supplies of food provided by well-meaning visitors during the tourist season. When the tourists go home the animals become vulnerable to starvation, disease, suffering and death. Local authorities and individuals often try to reduce the numbers by poisoning or culling.

BUT THERE IS A BETTER WAY!

SNIP international aims to relieve the suffering of stray and feral cats and dogs overseas by focusing on humane management of the populations through neutering programmes (TNR = trap, neuter, return). This helps to reduce the numbers of strays and ferals, thereby allowing them to live longer, healthier and happier lives. The animals are trapped or caught, then checked over and neutered by veterinarians and they are permanently identified so they will not be caught a second time. Young animals and tame adults can be adopted. Healthy adults, which are too wild to be adopted, can be returned to their familiar habitat, often under the long-term care of volunteers. The emphasis is on sustainable programmes!