Construction at former Ballito Bay Mall site threatens feral cat colony

The new construction underway at the former Ballito Bay Mall may be a welcome sight for many but things have recently taken a complicated turn for the feline feral colony currently being fed on the premises.

The plight of the colony of about ten feral cats is under threat as with the current project underway it has not become feasible to allow them to remain at the site.

The cats have for many years been taken care of by Ballito’s Feline Feral Fund (FFF) which has several feeding stations all around the old mall.

Past chairlady of the FFF, Sharon Cossey said the ten cats, some of which have been fed for close to 16 years, will have to be relocated or else they will be trapped and euthanised as having them around the construction site is not a viable option due to the heavy construction vehicles and contractors that will be working there.

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Cossey, who has fostered and re-homed about 800 kittens and 150 adult cats, said euthanising them is not an option she wants to consider as all the cats have been sterilised and formed their own little territorial areas.

“Very sadly we had to trap and euthanase our three beloved ‘Golden Oldies’ who were still living in the derelict building, due to the contractor’s needing to begin the demolition processes of the eyesore building. These three cats from the original 15 cats have been cared for by us every day for the past 16 years. They were 17 to 18 years old, but still healthy.

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“We decided that due to their immense stress levels they underwent with the previous development, we simply couldn’t let them go through it all again, especially at such a delicate age.

“I’m absolutely heartbroken by this, as these cats were part of the history of Ballito, and the very first colony we started with.”

The decision to euthanise the three older cats was not an easy one.

Cossey has sent out a heartfelt appeal to the community to assist with the future of the remaining, younger cats.

If someone with a small holding or a farm could take some of them in, it would be ideal, she said.

Cossey said the Feline Feral Fund has about 30 feeding stations of which 20 are in Ballito and the rest are spread across the coast from Tongaat to Zinkwazi.

If you can help with the relocation of some of the felines get in touch with Sharon at 072 266 9171.

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