The facilities were built to be a haven for any strays across Middelburg, to harbour these furry felines until they may have the good fortune to find a family of their own. Santa Cause for Paws was a benefactor to Feral Care this holiday season, providing donations as support.

Feral Care Friends Middelburg is a registered, non-profit organisation with the intent to trap/sterilise/vaccinate and return stray cats across Middelburg. This is done to conserve feral cat colonies and stop them from expanding in an unruly manner.

They are sustained almost entirely through donations.

The reason for sterilising stray cats is to prevent any further felines from being euthanised, as animal care organisations simply do not have enough resources to combat the rapid expansion of the stray population.

Feral cats are susceptible to many diseases, including feline immunodeficiency virus, diabetes, cancer and gingivitis, this means that many cats need to have blood tests and teeth pulled to prevent the illnesses from spreading.

The cathouse at Feral Care Friends is home to over 70 strays, all of which are fed and looked after daily, and feeding stations have been created at numerous locations in Middelburg.

The furry residents at the cathouse are being cared for to acclimate them to human presence and interaction, hoping to find them a forever home.

If any businesses in Middelburg require their service, they will be required to pay the sterilisation fee themselves. This is done in to help as many stray cats as possible.

Charmain Potgieter and Helmien Grant feed and sterilise the cat colonies, while Nastasia Viljoen handles finances, as well as the day-to-day management of the cathouse situated on her premises.

These women should be applauded for the care, effort and time they have given to help our town’s often-forgotten and neglected cats.

Donations are needed, cat food, financial aid and sand for litter boxes would be greatly appreciated.

The cathouse is situated at 9 Joule Street, Industria, and visitors are welcome to come and play with the cats.

All of the cats are available for adoption.

If you are looking to adopt or help in any way, contact Feral Care Friends on 084 408 8887.