A VET from Buntingford said she was treated like a celebrity when she arrived in Turkey to help with an out-of-control street cat problem. Charlotte Whatmough, 29, of Church Street, travelled to Bitez with vet Sarah Bignell to help with a cat neutering pr

A VET from Buntingford said she was treated like a celebrity when she arrived in Turkey to help with an out-of-control street cat problem.

Charlotte Whatmough, 29, of Church Street, travelled to Bitez with vet Sarah Bignell to help with a cat neutering project.

She said: "There are lots of stray cats out there because they just keep breeding."

During the visit Charlotte said they treated 42 cats.

Not only did they neuter the cats, but they also treated them for fleas, bites and abscesses.

"It went pretty well. We did better than expected. We had plenty of medicine and we were relieved that we didn't get stopped at Turkish customs," she said.

While they were in Bitez, Charlotte said they were supported by the mayor, the police, and locals.

"We were treated like celebrities," she said. "We didn't know what facilities we had waiting for us, but we had a recovery area and operating area right on the beach.

"We were surprised by the support. Although they have a different attitude towards animals, they were keen to catch the cats and they do feed them, but they are not prepared to go any further.

"But the problems come in the winter, and this is why we hope another vet will go out to Bitez in October and continue with the project. After that we will hopefully go back twice a year."

Charlotte, and Sarah, from Kent, were satisfied with the work undertaken during the one-week project.

Charlotte raised just over £2,000 and £600 of drugs and equipment to carry out the project.

She raised an additional £200 thanks to Crow readers.

n If anyone can help with future projects or would like to make a donation e-mail Charlotte Whatmough at cwhatmough@rvc.ac.uk or make a cheque payable to Sarah Bignell and send it to Charlotte Whatmough, Queen Mother Hospital for Small Animals, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts SG9 9AS.