David Fribbens, Cats Protection, Teignbridge & Totnes Branch, PR officer, writes:

Re: Teignmouth Post article Catnapper could be bad mews for area.

I was forwarded a copy of this article as we are the local Cats Protection branch for the area in question, and as such we are very concerned to hear about Mr White's suspicions.

It is important that the public advise the community police of any situation such as Mr White experienced in the same way as anti-social behaviour is reported.

It is the collective input from the public that will give the police the means to catch the criminals in question, and put the public's mind at rest.

For the benefit of Mr White and other members of the public, all the branches of Cats Protection and the other major agencies run a lost and found register within their branches and on their websites.

These include descriptions and pictures of the missing or found cats/dogs if available.

The addresses and contact numbers are all in the Yellow Pages under Animal welfare societies or on Yell.com and on the various posters around the area.

Our branch's dedicated lost and found number is 08453 712727 (local call), or visit our website http://www.teignbridge.cats.org.uk">www.teignbridge.cats.org.uk.

Our register cannot be the definitive listing of all lost animals, as other agencies are involved as well, but it does help owners give notice that they are looking for lost cats.

We also give advice on the best places to look and how to advertise locally that an animal is missing.

If we do see an unexplained surge in the numbers of missing cats we will certainly let the police know.