Re: The article in The Weekend Sun, June 2, 2023 edition, titled ‘Correct categories for cats' on page 17

As far as it goes, Wild Whiskers Tauranga does good work towards the problem of unowned cats, as they are top predators. (But) It's a pity the hunting competition mentioned was cancelled; besides being money-spinners these are about reducing predators – and if well-advertised locals can keep their pets home during the few days of competition.

I get a number of cats around my house and orchard, the feral ones are fat, sleek and extremely wary, usually too canny to get themselves trapped. The strays are thin and hungry; obviously ‘dumped'. A cardinal sin.

I would like the word ‘colony cat' explained. If it is a group of strays being fed by some cat-lover, then that tends to worsen the situation because the whole colony would need to be sterile.

I see no point in neutering trapped cats and releasing them, I don't believe the vacuum effect works judging by the number of feral cats I see.

To mitigate this problem it should be compulsory to microchip all pet cats, and preferably bell them. Anyone caught dumping should be heavily fined. Euthanise all those which are handed in to groups such as the WWT if they don't home them within 10 days.

Ann Mark, Te Puke.