REPORTING. 'A complex and sometimes thankless task': these volunteers work in the shadows against the proliferation of stray cats

Thursday, December 18, in the town of Noailhac (Tarn), Anouk and Valérie, two committed volunteers from the association Les chats de l'ombre, were on a mission. Their objective: to capture stray cats to limit their proliferation while ensuring their health. A complex task, sometimes thankless, but essential for the well-being of felines and the balance of neighborhoods.

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Since its creation in 2022, Les chats de l'ombre, based in Castres, has established itself as a key player in animal protection in the south of Tarn. The association's mission is to maintain and care for populations of stray cats in close collaboration with municipalities and partners such as the Brigitte Bardot Foundation and 30 Million Friends. To date, several agreements have been signed with municipalities to organize trapping operations. It is in this context that Mathieu Francis, mayor of Noailhac, called on their services:
“We received numerous requests from annoyed local residents but also from those who were looking for a solution without knowing how to act exactly,” he explains.

A proven technique

To capture the cats, volunteers use ingenious trap cages. Valérie details the process: “We place the cages in the places where the cats are usually fed. Inside, we put food and small treats. When the cat approaches, the mechanism is triggered and the door closes “Once the cage is closed, they quickly cover it with a blanket: “Plunged into the dark, the animal calms down instantly,” adds Anouk.

Ideally, the municipality warns residents not to feed the cats the day before the operation, thus increasing the chances of success. Once captured, each animal is transferred to a transport cage and taken to the Siala veterinary clinic, outside Castres, for sterilization or castration. The cats are then released into their original environment. Some, more sociable, are placed with foster families or put up for adoption.

Obstacles and surprises

If the system works well, operations are not free from unpleasant surprises. “Several times, we found empty cages, sometimes without food. We discovered that people were coming to steal the cats or, worse, hurt them,” laments Valérie. Sometimes other animals find themselves trapped: “We’ve already caught hedgehogs, rats and even toads!”, she jokes.

Despite these difficulties, the two volunteers remain determined: “We carry out around forty traps per month. It’s not always easy, but the results are there,” rejoices Anouk. In Castres, for example, 270 cats were captured in the Petit-Train district and around a hundred in Borde Basse. Little by little, the association is “gaining ground”, even if, according to Valérie, “it's a bit like the snake biting its own tail: leaving just one female can be enough to restart everything.”

A mission driven by passion

Passionate, the two volunteers don't count their hours: “We're proud to do this, but it's sometimes discouraging. Some people put obstacles in our way,” they admit. However, they continue with determination, convinced of the usefulness of their commitment. “There is still a lot to do, but each trap is a victory,” concludes Valérie. In Noailhac, this Thursday, their mission ended on a positive note: three cats were captured and taken care of. A small step forward for the local feline community, and a great satisfaction for these two guardians of the shadows.