Residents want Meyersdal ferals to stay

A concerned resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, heard about the removal of the feral cats at a local shopping centre in Meyersdal via an animal rescue WhatsApp group.

“I have been a shopper of the mall for years and never have I seen a feral cat. So this is why I just felt the need for taking this further.

“I can’t just sit back and watch these cats being removed for rehoming or most likely to be euthanised,” she said.

What she knows

“There is a family of feral cats who have been living there for years.

“Sadly, the feeding station and beds have been removed and the local SPCA has been called in to remove the cats,” she said.

The resident said most patrons of the mall aren’t even aware of the cats, as they are wild and afraid of people.
After looking into the matter, she heard all the cats have been sterilised and have been looked after by volunteers.

Call to save ferals

“A petition was started to save the ferals and it went viral. There are already more than 2 000 signatures. These ferals have been abandoned and were offered a little kindness by caring people.

“Facts are, a feral cat is very difficult to rehome and at the end of the day all of these ferals will be killed,” she said.

“Nobody is asking the management to look after the cats, but just to reconsider their decision. Many willing volunteers will look after the cats and as far I know, all of them have been sterilised so they can’t breed.”

Comment from Alberton SPCA

The Alberton SPCA’s vice-chairperson, Vonjia Bauchop, said there has been legal correspondence between the resident feeding the cats, NCat and the landlord.

“The landlord has decided that this established, sterilised colony of feral cats needs to be removed and this is his right, as he is the owner of the property.

“The Alberton SPCA is grateful the landlord contacted the SPCA for advice and guidance of trapping and removing the feral cat colony. The SPCA will handle this situation in the most humane way possible and with as little stress on the animals at practical,” said Bauchop.

The RECORD asked Bauchop more about feral cats and if it is true if they are to be removed and rehomed they will always go back to their ‘home’, which in this case is the centre.

“If there is a safe, secure place that can be found, the ferals may not make their way back to the property if they are removed far enough and kept confined in the new area for some time.

“They must be fed there, which will hopefully help them readapt to a new home. Relocating ferals is a very difficult and stressful thing, as just finding a place for them is impossible.

“Trapping ferals is also very stressful for the person trapping as well as the cats, as this could take many weeks because the cats become ‘wise’ to the traps,” she explained.

According to her, mostly ferals that need to be removed from places are humanely euthanised, as it is seen as less stressful than to put them in an unknown area/situation where they could be harmed and most times there is nowhere to take them.

“The issue the landlord may face is new, unsterilised feral cats moving into the area. As the SPCA, we try and educate people who have colonies of feral cats on their property, to trap with humane traps, sterilise and keep them on the property (TNR – trap, neuter, release) they are then known as a ‘controlled colony’ as they cannot breed.

“It is important that these cats are looked after and fed daily as it is a fallacy that feral cats are self-sufficient,” she said.

“Removing an established, sterilised colony can create what is called a ‘vacuum effect’ as other feral cats (most likely unsterilised) simply move into the vacant (cat-free) property and start to breed.

“A controlled, healthy colony will keep other cats at bay, as cats are territorial and will also keep vermin levels down. Feral cats generally hide from people and if being fed regularly, will not become a nuisance.”