Is your lost cat at Wied Incita?

I have received tens of SMSes, phone calls and e-mails asking me whether the society had raised a finger in defence of the displaced cats from public gardens (the gardens are public, are they? They are not, as far as I know, the consortium's).

Well the NCS took some time to reply because some investigations had to be carried out first. These investigations are under way but some facts have surfaced.

1. Upper Barracca. Whoever is familiar with the garden knows that well-fed, healthy, neutered and mostly cuddly cats adorned the environment. Tourists took pleasure in feeding the cats from food they obtained for a donation from one of the helpers who works there at the kiosk, who apparently was warned not to continue the practice. Today there are practically no cats, and the garden has lost one of its beautiful attractions.

2. San Anton Gardens. The mostly tame, graceful, purring cats have simply vanished. Employees at this garden, who speak up, were warned of possible transfers. One employee was ordered to capture cats with a fishing cop - most probably one usually used to clean ponds from stray leaves. When this employee asked what would happen to the cats the answer was that they were being taken to Wied Incita where a cat lover will feed them. This employee did not know that he was acting illegally even though he was acting under orders from a high-ranking official of the consortium.

The official maintains that it is their duty not to let cats damage plants. Well, fair enough, but the solution is not the one he resorted to.

First he should have consulted the experts on cats. Secondly, he should have found other means to protect the plants (e.g. covering the soil with chicken wire and/or providing cat litter boxes, which I am sure the ladies who go to the garden every day to offer cat food to the feline colony would be willing to keep tidy).

The NCS is hereby asking the competent authorities to take the necessary steps to rectify the situation. We suggest that the cats thus displaced and taken to Wied Incita be returned to San Anton without further delay. The number of cats removed, and those returned, should be made known. Cats are territorial animals and some would have tried to return to San Anton; many fail due to accidents, and this is why the NCS says that the cats have been killed.

I hope that what I have disclosed satisfies my friends. The NCS has written many letters protesting about this illegal act and we hope that the police will do their duty. We have proof.