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# CDPA Discover A Colony Of 20 Kittens In Need Of Help
- URL: https://aontachtmedia.ie/cdpa-discover-a-colony-of-20-kittens-in-need-of-help/
- Published: 2026-10-29T16:58:45.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-29T16:58:45.000Z
- Description: A recent post by the Cat and Dog Protection Association (CDPA) of Ireland has garnered some online attention when they reported having stumbled upon a colony of over 20 cats and kittens.
- Author: Aontacht Newsroom
- Tags: News

A recent post by the Cat and Dog Protection Association (CDPA) of Ireland has garnered some online attention when they reported having stumbled upon a colony of over 20 cats and kittens. The discovery was made by a volunteer who spotted the remains of a young kitten on the road as one of the CDPA trappers was on the way to a vet appointment with her own foster kitten. CDPA reports that it is not uncommon to find more kittens nearby in such cases, and sure enough, the volunteer stumbled across this large colony that had grown to become unmanageable for the person feeding them.CDPA estimates that there are 250,000 or more stray cats without a home in Ireland, a number which vastly exceeds the capacity for rehoming. This is why CDPA, like many other animal welfare groups, engage in a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programme. The purpose of this programme is to humanely reduce the numbers of cats without a home by preventing feral and stray cats from having more kittens, as cats can have up to 30 kittens a year, which in turn become capable of reproduction at as young as 4 months of age.

Additionally, outdoor cats can place a massive burden on local ecosystems, with [research from 2013](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23360987/?ref=aontachtmedia.ie) estimating 1.4-3.7 billion birds and 6.9-20.7 billion mammals being killed by mostly un-owned cats each year in the US, making them one of the deadliest threats to small animals. Furthermore, feral cats can pose a significant threat to many different species due to their generalist nature and excellent hunting skills, with a [one paper](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cats-kill-a-staggering-number-of-species-across-the-world/?ref=aontachtmedia.ie) recording over 2,000 species being hunted, a significant proportion of which may be classed as vulnerable or threatened.

Beyond the impact of outdoor cats on wildlife, there has been [increasing evidence](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989426000168?ref=aontachtmedia.ie) to suggest that keeping your cats indoors might have positive benefits for your feline friend as well. While cats are great predators, they are at significant risk of harm by dogs, foxes, and other cats which can cause significant injury, transmit disease, and lead to chronic health issues. Further threats such as accidental poisoning, intentional persecution by humans, and possibly most significantly in Ireland, road traffic accidents are also common causes of mortality for many outdoor cats, as was the case for the poor kitten found by the CDPA volunteer.. 

Discussions about catios (Cat patios designed for outdoor roaming), leash training, and indoor enrichment have recently gained prominence among indoor cat owners in an effort to help our beloved companions enjoy a long and healthy life while being able to explore their natural behaviours. It is undeniable however that a huge number of unhoused cats exist in our communities today, and that this is a welfare issue for both the cats themselves as well as the wildlife upon which they often rely to survive. Too often have cats been socially ostracised and relegated to the fringes of our communities due to their perceived independence, and it is high-time that we accept our duty of care towards these incredible animals as well as our native wildlife. 

If you would like to donate to CDPA (a registered charity) to help with vet bills, or are interested in fostering cats or kittens, please find more information [here](https://www.instagram.com/p/De%5F-meVDMl3/?img%5Findex=2&obrf=bnpxMm9pNWI1MGQ0&ref=aontachtmedia.ie).

Paypal Giving:  
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted\_button\_id=7AZ4MUFRJRZLN  
  
Friends of the CDPA:  
https://www.cdpa.ie/friends-of-the-cdpa  
  
CDPA Bank IBAN:  
IE35BOFI 900420 3949 8109