Sharon Cossey of Ballito and former Feline Feral Fund chairperson writes:
About 14 years ago I found a colony of 12 cats in the vicinity of Edward Road, all thin and unsterilised, having to survive on rats and scraps of food from the garbage bins at the back of 2 restaurants.
They were trapped, sterilised and returned to prevent more breeding. This is always the main priority when dealing with feral cats.
We began a feeding roster with wonderful volunteer feeders, who fed the cats every night.
During this time there were no rats along the beachfront promenade in front of the 2 restaurants and swimming pool area, as the cats, even with being fed, did “their habitual duty” by killing the rats at night when no people were around.
It was a win-win solution for all, and the cats and the community lived in harmony until about 6 years ago.
New neighbours in Edward Road smashed the cat house on their verge. We had to move the cat house on numerous occasions. Every time we were threatened and verbally abused.
The cats became traumatised, hiding in fear from being chased by humans, stones thrown at them, festive beachgoers urinating and even defecating on and inside their little feeding house, speedsters racing down Edward Road in their “hotted-up” cars, excessive fireworks over the festive season – the list goes on.
Needless to say, the colony of cats began dwindling after being deliberately run over by motorists, dying from stress-related illness and even an alleged poisoning.
We’ve been living in Ballito for 19 years. It was such a beautiful, loving and caring community who believed that wildlife, like our precious monkeys and feral cats should be left in peace.
That has all changed now with the influx of uncaring affluent people from outside.
To add to this, all our ‘good people’ who were our volunteers have either emigrated or semigrated to smaller, quieter and peace-loving towns. to find their souls again.
I’ll be packing up and following them soon.
To all our volunteer feeders, past and present, a huge thanks to each and every one of you for your love, dedication and commitment towards our many feral cat colonies around the North Coast.
A special thanks to long-time feeders of more than 10 years, Faith Head, Susan Fishwick and Denise Bowditch, and to my hard working FFF partner Riki Yoko who has taken over from me… I salute you.
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