About
Cat Action Trust 1977 is a small national charity dedicated to the welfare of feral cats.
“More than 86.6% of the charity’s outgoings were spent directly on the cats.”
Source: CAT 77 Annual Report, March 2021
Our Mission
CAT 1977’s policy is to help feral cats by limiting their numbers through neutering and returning to site, by providing veterinary care where necessary, and by finding homes for kittens and tame stray cats. The charity is totally against killing for expediency.
CAT 1977 also helps to educate the public and other animal welfare organisations about the humane control and care of the feral cat population through its website, newsletter and leaflets.
Feral cats are the descendants of lost or abandoned domestic (“tame”) cats. Because they have not been handled by humans as kittens, they grow up as if they are wild animals and are wary of humans. They are therefore invariably extremely difficult to handle, and specialised equipment is needed to trap and restrain them without injury to the cat, the trapper, or the vet.
Cats are extremely efficient reproducers. Large groups of feral cats (colonies) very soon build up and are found in numerous environments, such as parks, hospital grounds, factory premises and the gardens of private houses. Uncared for and allowed to breed unchecked, the life of a feral cat is short, miserable and full of suffering. However, once neutered, and if there is some shelter and a reliable food source available, feral cats can live long and healthy lives.
Our Branches
The charity is run entirely by volunteers, which means that the bare minimum is spent on administrative costs and almost all money donated is spent directly on the cats and their welfare. We have an Executive Committee and several branches:
Should you feel that you have a complaint to make about the charity, please read our Complaints Policy