'Inbetweener' cats on waste ground need new homes

A charity is urgently appealing for help to rescue a colony of 15 "inbetweener" cats facing eviction from a triangle of waste ground.

The cats live on a patch of land in between Besson Street, New Cross Road and Briant Street in south-east London, but it is earmarked for development so they will soon have to move on.

Cats Protection is asking anyone in south London with a large and safe garden, or businesses with outdoor spaces, to consider rehoming the animals in pairs before they are effectively evicted.

Kathy Vanner from the charity's volunteer team in Blackheath & Deptford said the cats were "at serious risk if we cannot find new homes for them soon".

She added while the cats "visit the garden of a kindly woman who feeds them" and sometimes "venture indoors when it gets chilly", the garden isn't suitable for them to live in and they face an uncertain future.

"Their home territory is surrounded on all sides by busy main roads, so if they disperse to seek alternative homes and food sources when that land is cleared, they are at high risk of being run over," she explained.

"They are going to lose not only their food source but their safe haven from the surrounding roads that pose a significant danger to their safety."

The cats, which are aged between 10 months and five years old, have already been neutered.

Anyone who takes them on will need to provide food and water for them every day, but Cats Protection said it would supply a temporary relocation pen and a more permanent shelter if required.

"Inbetweener" cats such as this colony live in outdoor environments with access to shelter and regular feeding.

They can form a bond of trust with their feeders but will shy away from being touched.

Elle Hatam, regional behaviour officer for Cats Protection, said a large garden would allow them "the choice and space to interact with their caregivers should they wish".

"Given time and space, they might choose to come indoors or interact with people but this will be on their own terms and in their time. However, there shouldn't be any expectation for them to do this."

To find out more, people can visit the Cats Protection Blackheath website.

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