WATCH: Major milestone for charity in fight to save the Scottish wildcat

Cats Protection Strathspey is celebrating a major milestone having successfully trapped, neutered, and returned its 100th cat as part of a project to save Scottish wildcats.

This involves catching domestic feral cats in humane traps, taking them to vets to be neutered and returning them to their original site where possible.

Feral cats are essentially wild animals so are not able to live as pets.

Neutering feral domestic cats is critically important for Scottish wildcat conservation.

The critically endangered wildcat population in Scotland has become increasingly threatened by interbreeding - also known as hybridisation - with feral domestic cats.

Although feral domestic cats and wildcats are different species, they can interbreed and produce viable offspring.

In recent years the wildcat gene pool has become increasingly diluted, and the wildcat is now at risk of genetic extinction.

This landmark moment followed a call from the owners of Highland Holiday Cottages, near Dalwhinnie, who discovered four feral kittens on their property.

Two kittens had disappeared, but the others and their mother were quickly caught and taken to the vet for neutering, health checks, and vaccinations.

The mother cat was safely returned while the kittens, estimated to be around five to six weeks old, were taken into Cats Protection Strathspey care as they were still young enough to be socialised.

Their socialisation has started very well, and the team hopes that Douglas and Hazel -as they have been named - will grow into wonderful domestic cats.

Branch coordinator Peter Norgate, said: “Our vital trap, neuter and return work helps protect the endangered Scottish Wildcat by reducing the risk of hybridisation.

“Every cat we help is also checked for diseases such as feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus, and assessed for overall health.

“In this case, they were all in excellent health. Thank you to everyone who supports this crucial work - here’s to the next 100!”

Cats Protection and Saving Wildcats have joined forces to promote responsible cat ownership in the strath and safeguard wildcats from the risks of interbreeding and disease transmission from domestic cats.

A Saving Wildcats spokesperson said: “It’s still very early days for the newly established wildcat population in the Cairngorms National Park and we’re incredibly grateful for the contribution that local people are making to wildcat conservation efforts by ensuring their pet cats are neutered, as well as microchipped and vaccinated.

“The partnership’s work with Cats Protection is crucial to ensuring a future for one of Scotland’s most iconic species.”

As the UK’s leading cat welfare charity, Cats Protection has long supported wildcat restoration in Scotland, working closely with Saving Wildcats on trap, neuter and release programmes in and around the strath.

The collaboration now extends to community outreach, including neutering voucher schemes and local events to raise awareness.

Jeff Knott, the charity’s advocacy and influence director, said: “We were delighted to hear that our Strathspey branch has reached such an incredible milestone.

“This achievement is a testament not only to the dedication of our volunteers but also to the powerful bond between people and animals that drives this work.

“Cats Protection operates TNR under license from NatureScot across Scotland to improve welfare of the unowned population.

“Our Strathspey branch covers the Scottish wildcat release zone, where our work with Saving Wildcats is helping to secure a future for this iconic species.

“The Saving Wildcats project, based at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Highland Wildlife Park, is dedicated to breeding and releasing wildcats into the wild in order to save the species from extinction.

“Our partnership plays a vital role in reducing the hybridisation risk posed by feral domestic cats, while also strengthening the connection between local communities and the wildlife around them.

“We’re excited to see what this partnership can achieve for the next 100 cats and beyond!”

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