St Francis appeals for support amid growing stray cat crisis in Durban
With over 100 stray cats to feed daily and medical bills topping R20 000 each month, three devoted women and a local non-profit are calling on the public to support their 2026 fundraising calendar — and help curb the crisis of cat overpopulation.
A HEARTWARMING project aimed at raising much-needed funds for the sterilisation and care of Durban’s stray cats has been launched by the NPO St Francis in partnership with Compass Cares for its 2026 cat calendar initiative.
The dedicated team behind this effort — Sherryl Bradfield, Pauline Tribe, and Rose Magic — feed more than 100 cats every day, all year-round, along the Durban beachfront and nearby areas. “We spend over R20 000 a month on food and medical care, all from our own pockets,” said Bradfield.
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In response to the growing crisis of abandoned and unsterilised cats, Ian and Judy du Randt of Compass Medical Waste have stepped in to sponsor the annual calendar project. Proceeds directly support feeding programmes and crucial sterilisation drives.
“The reason we started this project was because of the number of cats dumped on the streets, which increases daily,” said Bradfield. “One unsterilised female cat can have up to 25 kittens a year. It costs about R1800 to sterilise just one female — but it makes a massive difference.”
Founded in 2017, St Francis continues to operate solely on public support and donations. All contributions are eligible for Section 18A tax certificates, and banking details can be found on their website: www.stfranciscats.co.za. To purchase the 2026 calendar or make a donation, contact Sherryl Bradfield on 082 510 6762.
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