Bottle returns help Kilkerrin woman boost ‘kitty’ bank
A WOMAN from Kilkerrin has raised over €23,000 to help feed stray cats and support the neutering costs of others.
Since October 2023 Fiona O'Connor has been collecting returnable bottles and cans - some she finds on the street while others are donated by local businesses.
The money raised pays for cat food for strays, donations to animal welfare groups as well as contributing towards the cost of neutering in local vets.
The cat-lover says that sharing her story in The Tuam Herald last year increased public awareness of her efforts and she has raised a further €12,000 in that time, bringing her total to date to €23,000.
“I got a lot more donations since I featured in this newspaper, which is great, but that hasn’t stopped me searching the streets and bins of Tuam looking for more. They might call me a crazy cat lady, but I don’t mind at all,” Fiona told The Tuam Herald.
“At this stage I’m up to €23,000 from the recycling, €1,000 from car boot sales and another €1,000 from items I sell on Vinted. That’s all stuff that’s donated to me, they largely go for just a few euro, but it all adds up.
“I get sent a lot of messages asking me to rescue cats. I don’t do this, but I love cats and want to help as many of them as I can.”
Fiona works with vets in Dunmore and Glenamaddy to help pay TNR (Trap Neuter Return) bills, which help those who cannot afford the procedure. The scheme has helped neuter 495 cats this year.
“If you had three cats, it would cost you at least €300 to get them all neutered, which is very expensive and might lead to an owner not going through with it. But through TNR it only costs €20 per cat. My funds help to pay for these vet bills,” she explained.
“I think people don’t appreciate how important it can be to get a cat neutered, if not they end up with lots of kittens and some will sadly die. This is why I’m so passionate about TNR and pay for as many procedures as I can.”
Fiona paid tribute to the many local businesses that have helped her reach €23,000 through recycling. Among them the Brogue Bar, the Bridge Bar and Reapy’s in Tuam, Conneely’s Bar in Kilkerrin, Galway Glamping and Coral Leisure Tuam. Regular donations from the public have also been a big help.
“It would be so easy for these businesses to keep their bottles and cans; collect the money for themselves. Instead, they give them to me, which I’m very grateful for,” added Fiona.
“So many people read my story in the paper last year and decided they should send me over their empties too, which is great. Hopefully people see this article and think about contributing too, as it is for such a great cause,” she concluded.