Local Couple Set Out to Tackle Cat Colony in Ardee

22-year-old Megan Myles was drawn to Ardee for love, as her partner and his family were from the area. However, she has become more well-known these days for her love of the local stray cats!

Megan & Jack

"When I first arrived in Ardee, I was struck by the large number of feral cats in the area. I talked with my partner about the situation, and he explained the challenges involved—not just the financial responsibilities, but also the difficulty in catching, treating, and caring for these animals." Megan goes on to explain that her partner, Jack, is actually studying to become a veterinary assistant, which proved to be helpful as she decided she couldn’t stand by and do nothing to help these feral colonies. Megan herself is studying Social Care in DkIT, but has always had a love for animals – Their shared knowledge soon became a shared project, that they have been building on for over two years now.

While there seemed to be a fair few community members attempting to feed the cats, there was no long term plan to control the ever growing numbers. That’s often where trap-neuter-return schemes (TNR, as it’s known) come in to play. While charities across the country race to educate the public in the importance of neutering, feral colonies often get left behind. Organisations quickly run out of money or do not have enough resources, such as the traps themselves. Feral cats aren’t easy to catch either, they can be suspicious of their human neighbours. Across Ireland, many individuals and small groups have formed to try and tackle the issue, to help the bigger animal rescues that are struggling with such a large burden. It’s a relatively new wave of cat-loving, people power within communities – A group in Dundalk has also formed in recent times.

"My partner and his family had always done their best to provide food for these cats, purchasing it as often as possible. When I arrived and shared my knowledge of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), we all agreed it was time to take a bigger step in helping these animals."

And so began food scheduling, fundraising, and forming bonds with the cats so they would trust them enough to accept the help. All slow and expensive work, but Megan was determined. "Though we still can’t approach most of them directly, they show us affection in their own unique ways."

Their team might be small (assistance mainly comes from a kind neighbour called Rachel, and Jack’s family), but it's been a learning experience for the duo - They reach out for knowledge and help when and wherever they can. They have been in touch with a US based Facebook group, and more recently Drogheda Animal Rescue (DAR) have graciously provided them with a trap, crate, and of course advice, as well as assistance with veterinary bills.  They are also linked in with the Louth Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LSPCA). To help cover these mounting costs, they have now set up an online fundraiser.

Megan is keen to acknowledge the importance of community support and how much that means to her. She adds, "The local community has been very supportive. We’ve had people online generously donating to our fundraiser and providing food, cat shelters, blankets, and even kind words of encouragement. Some local businesses and residents have pitched in as well, offering supplies and spreading the word about our efforts."

If anyone would like to donate at all to their fundraiser, every penny counts - GoFundMe.

The colony, based in Dawsons Demesne, will require feeding and vet care on an ongoing basis, even when/ if the full TNR is ever completed. This project is a huge undertaking in itself, but Megan is well aware of the responsibility and dedication it will take to keep going, "I am committed to doing my best to provide these cats with the care and quality of life they deserve."

She also has big plans, and is hopeful that they will have the time and means to extend the programme to other stray and feral cats in need throughout the region in the future.

Breaking down the basic costs for us, Megan explains "To neuter a male cat, the cost typically ranges from €70 to €100, while spaying a female cat generally costs between €90 and €120. Thanks to financial aid from Drogheda Animal Rescue (DAR), these costs are reduced, though we still contribute financially for each cat. When we can’t cover the full cost, DAR steps in, but this sometimes makes it challenging to secure timely appointments due to their busy schedule."

"In addition to neutering and spaying, we spend approximately €40 each week on food for the cats. We’re also working on securing shelters for the winter. Some kind community members have donated dog houses, which we are insulating, but there are other ongoing costs that add up quickly. Each expense may seem small on its own, but together they represent a significant commitment."

Reflecting on the last couple of years, Megan is filled with gratitude for how the community has responded with an outpour of encouragement. "We are incredibly grateful for all the support we have received. Even the simple kind messages we get are invaluable and reassure us that we are on the right track. A special thanks goes to my partner’s family, the Fays, for allowing us to not only take in the cats for their recovery period after surgery but also for fostering two beautiful kittens. Their support gives these kittens the opportunity to live a wonderful life with a loving family."

Follow the adventures of the Dawsons Demesne cat colony on both Instagram and TikTok, and keep up-to-date with how this project goes from strength to strength.

Inquiring about colony size, Megan informs us "While I can’t provide an exact number of cats due to their movement patterns — some travel for a few days and then return — there are consistently around 12 cats we see daily. In addition, we’ve taken in 2 kittens to foster at our home; they have been socialized and will be rehomed shortly.Aside from these regulars, we have another five to ten cats that come and go, adding to the dynamic nature of the colony. We make it a point to showcase these cats on our social media as often as possible, as we believe it’s important to keep everyone informed about our efforts and the progress we’re making."

And of course, reach out to Megan if you can help in any way! Especially as winter approaches.

Here are their social media links:

- Instagram: TNR-Louth on Instagram

- TikTok: TNR-Louth on TikTok

We can’t wait to hear and see more of what these lovely little cats get up to!

If you have a similar cat colony story, we would love to hear from you. Reach out to: deesidejournal@gmail.com