Durban North residents urged to donate to feral cat population
Durban North residents are being urged to donate cat food to support a growing feral cat population in the Umgeni Park and Riverside areas.
Durban North residents, particularly those in the Umgeni Park and Riverside areas, are being urged to donate cat food to support the homeless cat population.
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According to Tracey Hartley of Feral Cat Rescue Trust, the majority of these cats are living a feral life due to abandonment. The organisation has been feeding and sterilising feral cats for nearly two decades.
The trust has appealed to the community to contribute to a collection bin located at Durban North Hyper by the Sea. The food collected is used exclusively to feed feral cats in the surrounding area, where the trust has undertaken to trap, sterilise and release to curb the unwanted breeding.
“These cats have been tossed out on the street and left to fend for themselves. Shopping centres are often places where people abandon cats, which is why the population is so high in these particular spots. In total, there are about 40 cats in the area, most of which have already been sterilised, which we take care of daily,” said Hartley.
She added that donations have declined in recent months, placing strain on the organisation and its volunteers.
“Our volunteers rely on donations to feed the cats, but lately many have had to use their own money to make sure the animals are cared for,” she said.
While feeding programmes remain essential, Hartley emphasised that sterilisation is key to controlling the population.
“Sterilisation is critical at this stage. If more cats were trapped, sterilised and released, we wouldn’t be dealing with such high numbers. It’s important for both individuals and businesses to take responsibility and ensure feral cats are sterilised as soon as they are identified,” she said.
Cats are also beneficial as they take care of unwanted pests like cockroaches, snakes and most importantly rodents that can cause expensive damage to property.
Information on how to contact the organisation is available on its Facebook page.
Residents who wish to make a financial contribution can do so via the Feral Cat Rescue Trust bank account.
ABSA Savings Account
FERAL CAT RESCUE TRUST
Account Number 9274602720
Branch 632005
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