The New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands dropped off a box of pet food to Rarotonga’s cat charity as it hosted a free desexing day, aimed a curbing the number of unwanted kittens born on Rarotonga.

More than 20 cats and kittens were spayed or neutered by a Te Are Manu veterinary team at the Paws and Claws Cat Sanctuary in Matavera on Wednesday.

“I think it’s wonderful,” said High Commissioner Tui Dewes, who was visiting the sanctuary on the invitation of Paws and Claws manager Shannon Paul and patron Don Carlow.

“The work that they’re doing for the island is really fantastic.

“We donated a box full of cat biscuits and cat food, just a small donation to support the wonderful work that Shannon and Don are doing here.”

Paul and Carlow treated Dewes to a tour of the self-funded facility, showing the High Commissioner though the cattery where numerous kittens were sleeping as they recovered from the morning’s desexing drive.

Praising the efforts of Te Are Manu as well, Dewes said: “Clearly, it’s best if there’s not an explosion of unwanted kittens on the island.”

Paul said without the veterinary team on Rarotonga, the desexing programme would not be possible.

“We’d have to be bringing our own vets in, and we can’t afford that – so it’s really important that we acknowledge the vets and their support,” she said.

“We know if we desex a cat today, we’re not going to be desexing 10 tomorrow. That makes a big difference.”

Dewes encouraged the people of Rarotonga to utilise Paws and Claws for any enquiries related to cats.

“These cats, they’re open for adoption at any time. So, if people do want to adopt a cat, they are free to contact Paws and Claws,” she said.

“On the sadder side, if anyone needs to surrender a cat, then it’s probably a good idea to reach out to Paws and Claws – rather than just letting them loose.

“They can provide them with a safe home, and they can help with desexing the cat so that we can avoid a situation where there is a whole lot of unwanted kittens on the island.”

Dewes also pointed to the sanctuary’s weekly “hugs and cuddles session”, 11.30am to 2.30pm every Sunday, as a way of contributing to the charity.

“People are free to come by to meet the cats, and that also assists the cats with socialisation.”

Dewes said she loved all animals and when she arrived on the island, she brought her own two cats with her: Niwaniwa and Kikorangi, both four years old.