Feral organisation appeals for help

Kempton Park Feral Felines have shared some of the many ways residents can help the organisation.

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“A feral cat is a cat that has had little contact with humans, is fearful of people and usually lives on his/her own outdoors,” said NPO director Charmaine Demalis.

She added that South Africa has an estimated 2.1 million feral cats.

Demalis said that this number increases drastically because of the number of unsterilised cats.

“A pair of breeding cats, which can have two or more litters per year, can exponentially produce 420 000 offspring over just seven years.”

She added that removing or relocating feral cats only invites new unneutered cats to move in and the reproduction cycle starts over.

“Kempton Park Feral Felines is a non-profit organisation that uses the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) method.

“This is the only method proven to be humane and effective in controlling free-roaming cat population growth,” Demalis said.

Through the TNR method, cats living in feral colonies are trapped in approved, humane traps.

“We then take the captured feral cats in their traps to a veterinary clinic to be spayed or neutered. At the same time, one of their ears is tipped. Ear tipping is a universal sign of a neutered feral cat,” said Demalis.

“While anesthetised for neutering, the tip of the cat’s ear, typically the left one, is removed. Healing is rapid and this mark helps prevent unnecessary surgery, confinement or euthanasia to neutered feral cats,” she added.

Demalis said that after recovery from surgery, the feral cats are returned to their colony.

“We then supply the colony with ongoing access to food and fresh water.”

Advantages of TNR in Kempton Park include:
• Feral cat population control and the permanent reduction in the number of cats in our city (the returned, sterilised feral cat colony guards its territory so that unneutered cats aren’t able to move in and begin the overpopulation cycle anew)
• Lowering cat intake into shelters and thus lowering shelter euthanasia rates
• Reducing the spread of disease (feral cats control rat and mice populations without the need for chemicals and toxic sprays)

If you are feeding any feral cats, please contact your local animal rescue organisation, your local vet, your local SPCA or visit our website at www.kemptonferals.co.za

Kempton Park residents can help Kempton Park Feral Felines in several ways.

Donate food
Kempton Park Feral Felines have cat food collection bins at Superspar Glen Acres, Mugg & Bean Woodbridge, Pick n Pay Brentwood Park, Petzone Great North Road, Petzone Norkem Park and Crazy Plastics Rynfiled.

Donate funds
Funds can be donated directly to Kempton Park Feral Felines NPO by using the following banking details.

First National Bank (FNB) Business cheque account
Branch: 205609 (Woodbridge Square)
Account: 62808546066.

Support fund-raising
Residents who can’t assist with funds can always support the organisation’s fund-raising efforts by simply sharing the group’s Facebook posts.

Alternatively, contributions towards the raffles, sponsorship appeals and our other fund-raisers are always welcomed.

Adoption
Kempton Park Feral Felines have several kittens up for adoption.

Strict home inspections are done before the adoption application is approved.

The adoption fee of R850 includes the first vaccinations, deworming, sterilisation and micro-chipping of the adopted kitten.

Volunteering
“We have almost 6 000 Facebook followers and almost 600 Instagram followers. We serve the precious ferals of Kempton Park and are ever grateful for our supporters who are part of the great village who help these cats in desperate need,” said Demalis.

For more information or to find out how you can help, email kemptonferals@gmail.com or visit www.kemptonferals.co.za

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