Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 619: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the protection he proposes to introduce to protect feral cats from cruel behaviour and to stop overbreeding of these cats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19881/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which I will be publishing shortly, cats living in the wild will receive the same protection from cruelty as any other wild animal. Cats owned as pets, or otherwise, are classed as "protected animals" within the meaning of the Bill and persons keeping cats as pets will be required to safeguard their welfare and provide them with adequate food, water and shelter.

My Department provides in excess of €1million annually to animal welfare organisations involved in the provision of animal welfare services. As part of the allocation of these funds I have recommended a code of practice for welfare organisations to assist them achieve high standards of animal welfare including reminding them to endeavour where possible to provide a programme of neutering/spaying of cats with a view to reducing the number of wild cats.