Feral felines starving on rural farms

Dozens of stray cats are calling Megan Johnson's farm home but she says enough is enough.

The feral felines have been roaming the paddocks and farm sheds of the farm Mrs Johnson has managed for about two years and she is concerned about their health.

"There are dozens of them and they are starving to death," she said.

"People are dumping them here thinking they will have a lovely life in the country, but they won't."

The strays range from older cats to kittens and the majority of them are unfriendly.

Mrs Johnson took one kitten, that was able to be caught, to the vet but was unsure of its fate.

"I just feel so sorry for them," she said.

"Most of them are dumped."

Mrs Johnson is also concerned that the cats may be preying on wildlife, including yellow-eyed penguins. Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust general manager Sue Murray said feral cats do pose a threat.

"They prey on birds and the cats are in geographical range with the penguins," she said.

Oamaru Veterinary Services vet Claire Muir said they did not get directly involved with stray cats.

"We don't know about it unless a client brings the animal to us. Some people take care of things without anyone being contacted," she said.

She said a female cat comes into season in spring and can have up to three litters in a season.

The clinic has put down a number of stray cats because re-homing them is almost impossible due to the cats being unsociable.

North Otago SPCA shelter manager Maree Corder said the shelter oversees sick and abused animals with the main aim of re-homing, which means taking in unhandled animals is risky.