By Ismay Woods
THERE has been a bitter-sweet result to the story of the three feral cats which went missing from Bangor’s Queen Parade earlier this month.
While all three were found, the volunteers who take care of the cats which call the seafront their home, report one of the trio has passed away.
Last week, an emotional appeal was made after three of the ‘destruction’ – a term for a group of feral cats – disappeared. They were last seen on Saturday, March 7.
Dennis Cassidy, one of the volunteers who feed the cats and provide care for the animals, including obtaining veterinary treatment when needed, explained how the group had searched the area at Queen’s Parade. They also put up a post on the ‘Bangor Seafront Cats’ Facebook page which the group administers, and offered a ‘substantial’ reward for the cats’ return.
On Monday, Dennis told the Spectator how the trio – female Speckle, and two males, Pepper and Figgy had been found.
He explained: “A man who had seen the report in the Spectator, had been passing a derelict building on the Southwell Road on Friday [March 20], and heard mewing. He contacted us, and when we went down we found the cats couldn’t get out.”
Access was eventually gained to the building the following day, and the trio were rescued, but sadly while Speckle and Pepper are now doing well, Figgy has since passed away.
“They had been two weeks without food, and Figgy, who was a very small, thin cat, passed away the next day,” Dennis revealed.
Dennis admitted it is a mystery how the cats got into the building, and while there is sadness Figgy did not survive, the volunteers are delighted Speckle and Pepper are back with their fellow ferals.
