“Supercats” can save the day for Scottish
Wildcats.Back
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Cat owners across Scotland are being asked to help protect a
highly endangered native species, the Scottish wildcat.
Experts estimate there are fewer than 300 Wildcats left in the
wild but Scottish Wildcat Action hopes that pet and farm cats
will help save the day by becoming “Supercats.” **** Scottish Wildcat Action is
a national project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund,
which aims to halt the decline of this native species by 2020.
It is led by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and is a
partnership of 20 organisations. The Supercat
campaign was launched on World Spay Day on 28 February
with support from the wildlife filmmaker, Gordon Buchanan, and
using the hashtag #supercat. **** To become a Supercat, a domestic cat
needs to be micro-chipped, neutered and have up-to-date
vaccinations. This helps wildcats by reducing the risks of
cross-breeding and disease that are wiping out the last few
wildcats in Scotland. Vaccinations, in particular, also help
give Supercats themselves better protection from a range of
threats. **** Gordon
Buchanan said: **** “Scottish wildcats are stunning
creatures and an important part of our natural
A Scottish Wildcat in the Snow
heritage. I would encourage all cat owners to help protect
this native species by getting their pet or farm cat
vaccinated, neutered and micro-chipped.” **** Dr Roo Campbell from SNH,
who is the Priority Areas Manager for Scottish Wildcat Action,
added: **** “If all
domestic cats were Supercats, it would give wildcats the best
chance of survival. We know a few wildcats are still out
there, but they face serious threats. To increase their
numbers, it’s really important that they have more wildcat
kittens and not the hybrid kittens born from mating with
domestic cats.” **** The benefits associated with becoming a
Supercat include better protection from disease (including
those transmitted through mating), lower risk of injuries
sustained in fights, less inclination to roam long distances
and so lower risk of road traffic accidents, and increased
likelihood of being found if lost. **** Research at the University of
Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies confirms
that wildcats can contract the same diseases as our domestic
cats. **** Professor
Anna Meredith, Personal Chair of Zoological and Conservation
Medicine at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies,
explained: **** “Diseases that are a threat to both
domestic cats and wildcats include Feline Leukaemia (FeLV) and
Feline Aids (FIV). The best way to provide protection from
these fatal diseases and other threats is to both neuter and
vaccinate domestic cats.” **** Vets in Scotland are also joining the
campaign and recommending cat owners to micro-chip, neuter and
vaccinate. **** “We
would recommend getting kittens neutered from four months
of age. Cats will mate with even their own brothers or
sisters, so it’s important to neuter before they become
sexually mature,” said Dingwall vet, Alice Bacon. **** “Cats also need to get
their jabs regularly to protect them from disease and they
should always be micro-chipped. Inserting a small micro-chip
under a pet cat’s skin helps to identify it if it gets
lost or stolen, which prevents cats from becoming strays. If
everybody pulls together, then we can save a very special cat
from the edge of extinction and there are benefits all
round.” **** To find
out more about how your cat can become a Supercat, visit www.scottishwildcataction.org/supercat or
join in the #supercat movement on Facebook or Twitter
@SaveOurWildcats. This work to conserve Scottish wildcats is
one of the many projects being implemented by SNH and other
partners to meet the 2020 Challenge for Scotland’s
Biodiversity.
