Any Griffith resident who shops at Coles at night will have seen them, the multitude of cats prowling around the Griffin Plaza – and management have reached the end of their tether.
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Responding to customer complaints, they have been approved by Griffith City Council to bring in the pest control experts, but not everyone is thrilled by this move.
For Griffith resident Susan Gorgievska, taking care of the cute creatures has been a labour of love for two and a half years, and she is “outraged” at the Plaza’s move to be rid of them.
After finding blood stains on the kerbs near where she fed around 40 animals – now 25 – she fears “inhumane” culling processes.
“There was blood everywhere – I have pictures,” Ms Gorgievska claims.
“They have obviously been shot with a gun – it’s horrific.”
However Griffin Plaza’s Management said her allegations of shootings were “false.”
In relation to claims that the centre is shooting cats, we can confirm this is false.
- Griffin Plaza Management.
“To prevent potential health and safety risks for customers, retailers and the local community as well as the risks to native animals, the centre has sought advice from Council and animal control experts and has put in place a humane catching program with a licensed animal controller,” their statement read.
Griffin Plaza management say they have had problems with feral cats onsite for “some time”, causing issues for retailers, customers and complaints from the local community.
“Despite several measures to deter the cats over the past couple of years, their numbers continue to grow to now 50-60 cats onsite at any one time.”
The care of the cats all started for Ms Gorgievska two and a half years ago.
“I saw a cat rummaging through the bin, it was so sad. Everyone would drive past and ignore the stray cats starving,” she said.
She says she’s received verbal support from other community members - but also had a lot of negative reactions as well.
“I see people drive past and flash them, or deliberately swerve to hit them. People yell at me to stop feeding them – I don’t understand how they can have so little compassion.”
As for feeding them, she says you can’t put a price on taking care of them and if she could desex them and treat them for fleas she would.
“I don’t know how much money it costs to feed them, but it doesn’t matter. It’s about making sure they are looked after and safe,” she said.
“I would take them if I had a bigger property.”
Ms Gorgievska wants people to rally to stop “defenseless stray cats being shot and killed”.
“This has to stop.”
