The Feline Feral Fund (FFF) needs new volunteers to trap, neuter and release feral cats on the North Coast.

Founded more than 20 years ago, the objective of the non-profit organisation (NPO) is the healthy management of the wild cat population. They operate on a trap, neuter and release principle, ensuring the feral colonies have restricted population growth.

The FFF also feed colonies scattered around Westbrook, Tongaat, KwaDukuza and greater Ballito. Volunteer numbers are, however, dwindling.

“You have to be mad to do this work!” said chairlady, Riki Yoko. “We struggle to keep volunteers because this work is hard, and the hours are unpredictable. You have to be very dedicated. It’s time consuming to set the traps, take the cats to the vet and return them to their colonies.”

Yoko, who lives in Sheffield, has worked with the organisation for 14 years. She highlights ignorance as a major contributor to stray cat growth, where owners will often neuter male cats but avoid spaying females.

“We have a massive problem with the over population of kittens on the North Coast. People do not sterilise their cats, sometimes for religious reasons, or they want kittens for their kids to play with before giving them away.”

Yoko started out as a feeder in 2010 but soon started helping trap. To raise funds, Yoko sells second-hand books at Tiffany’s Shopping Centre on Saturdays, between 9am and 3pm. The FFF is currently feeding more than 300 cats daily, which costs about R12 000 per month. The NPO conservatively estimate that they have neutered more than 3 000 cats.

“This is not for the faint of heart; it’s hard physical work, and you often do it on your own. You need to get your hands dirty and expect your car to smell of cats and urine. Volunteers are up at all times of the night trapping or feeding; it’s hard on home-life – you can never get on top of the issue.”

The FFF became a registered NPO in 2012. The health of the feral population is carefully monitored and medical treatment, including rabies vaccinations, is administered where needed.

Find the Feline Feral Fund on Facebook or contact Riki at 083 306 1174.

If you would like to help the FFF, you can donate using the Zapper code below.

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