The Ulladulla region is now part of a project aiming to reduce the number of unwanted cats and kittens in the Shoalhaven.
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The Ulladulla Branch of the RSPCA is part of the newly established Shoalhaven Cat Project.
Animal Welfare League - Shoalhaven Branch, Animal Welfare League - Nowra/Jervis Bay Branch and the Shoalhaven Animal Shelter are all members of the project.
Members of the project want to encourage responsible ownership of cats and kittens.
Treasurer of the Ulladulla Branch of the RSPCA, Bea Miles, said it was important that people think before taking on ownership of kittens, cats and even puppies.
"Kittens and puppies are cute but then comes things like desexing and vaccination costs," Bea said.
Bea is certain that unwanted kittens have been dumped around the Ulladulla area.
Bea said shelters and animal carers this time of year get swamped by the need to care for unwanted cats and kittens.
A box of abandoned kittens was recently found dumped near Nowra.
The kittens were found in a box in the bush and luckily were found by someone who bought them to a shelter.
All the local animal welfare organisations don't want to see animals discarded like garbage which is why they all signed up for the Shoalhaven Cat Project.
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Another aim of the Shoalhaven Cat Project is to stop what is being seen in the Eurobodalla area.
"In the Eurobodalla, there was something like 200 cats handed in," Bea said.
"We are lucky in the Ulladulla area and we did not have that many litters handed in."
The Ulladulla group does not want the cat dumping issue to escalate and they are happy to be part of the project.
Residents can help by following some simple steps.
The steps are:
1. Everyone should be desexing their cats - financial assistance can be provided by both Animal Welfare League Branches and both RSPCA Branches at any time. Please call them to arrange assistance.
2. Never give away or sell kittens that aren't desexed. This is potentially contributing to the number of kittens needing homes each year. A cat can become pregnant at just four months old.
3. Always give your unwanted kittens to any of the listed animal welfare groups. The kittens will then be de-sexed before going to a new home, putting a stop to them breeding in the future. There is no fee to give your kittens to these rescue organisations.
4. Never dump unwanted kittens in the bush or anywhere. If you don't want your kittens please call one of the animal welfare organisations or place them in the overnight cages at the shelter - never dump them somewhere.
5. Cats not desexed should never be allowed to roam the neighbourhood. This is irresponsible ownership and you are directly contributing to the number of kittens born each year needing homes.
If you have any questions about desexing your cat, .legal requirements if you sell or give away a cat/kitten and assistance with unwanted kittens you can call RSPCA Ulladulla Branch 0414 749 490, RSPCA Nowra Branch 0427 013 177, Animal Welfare League - Nowra/Jervis Bay 0499 444 978 or 0402 092 493, Animal Welfare League - Shoalhaven 0429 429 885 or 0407 083 078 and the Shoalhaven Animal Shelter 44293410 daily from 9am to 4pm.
