Bushey Tail Cat Aid to wear bodycams after 'shocking' abuse

Saying “enough is enough”, Bushey Tail Cat Aid raised money to purchase body worn cameras after its operations trapping, rehoming, or neutering wild, sick, and/or feral cats sparked abuse from people who are against neutering.

The practise of Trap, Neuter and Release is supported by the RSPCA.

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Marta, who did not want to be pictured or have her full name shared after the “endless and shocking abuse", said a woman believing a cat born at the centre was hers sent a fake response to a Facebook Marketplace ad to get Marta’s address and threaten to break in.

Earlier this month she called the police after four men jumped out of a van before yelling at and filming the team. Bushey Tails had been visiting a colony of hundreds of unneutered cats with a high rate of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.

Shortly afterwards an inspection was triggered when a caller to the RSPCA claimed Bushey Tails kept fresh dead cats in their home with “blood leaking from bags”.

One of the cats Bushey Tails helped, at the vet (Image: Bushey Tails)

The small group of volunteers say similar abuse is "constant", including threatening messages online from people who even tell other cat owners the rescue team is out to steal and sell their pets. It eventually led to police recommending volunteers wear the cameras.

Marta also described an "abusive" confrontation with a Bushey woman while trying to trap a cat. Police have confirmed enquiries are ongoing.

Pressing on regardless, Bushey Tail trapped Walt, a terminally ill cat who was blind in one eye, had cancer, FIV, cat flu, just five teeth, and puss leaking from his ear.

Bushey Tails cat trap (Image: Bushey Tails)

Marta explained that many people feeding stray cats don’t understand what the animals are doing when they are away.

"Feeding is not enough," she added. "It actually fuels the colonies and they multiply."

Feeding feral cats also makes it harder to trap and treat them.

Marta and her team are trained and certified by Battersea Cats and Dogs' academy.

Walt after being trapped (Image: Bushey Tail Cat Aid)

Cats Protection says: “Trap neuter return is the most humane, effective and financially sustainable strategy for controlling feral cat populations.”

The rescue added that feral cats that have been neutered and released “rapidly improve in health, condition and life expectancy.”