SPCA rescues feisty feral cat that spooked shoppers at eMba Mall
We understand ferals are very active at the mall while builders are reconstructing the part of the mall that was damaged when protesters burned it down last year
eMBALENHLE – Shoppers were apparently quite spooked when they heard meows coming from a wall column in Studio 8 in eMbalenhle’s mall on Tuesday, 11 June.
“They were even more spooked when they saw the pitch black cat behind that meow,” laughed Ms Noni Sibanyoni, volunteer at the Highveld Ridge SPCA.
Personnel from Studio 8 and an employee from another store called the SPCA for help that afternoon.
“They heard the continuous cries since the morning. Someone was able to supply some food for the trapped animal.
“We had to climb up to the ceiling to peak into the hollow column where the cat was stuck,” said Ms Sibanyoni.
She was aided by another volunteer, Mr Jabu Mathebula. They believe the cat was feral and might have fallen into the opening at the ceiling.
“We understand ferals are very active at the mall while builders are reconstructing the part of the mall that was damaged when protesters burned it down last year.”
The rescue mission lasted more than three hours.
Their initial suggestion to break open the column near the floor, was not well received and they had to revert to plan B.
Ms Sibanyoni and Mr Mathebula soon devised another plan.
“We taped together two brooms and also had a snake handler stick. No one wanted to go down into the small confinement with a wild, black cat. The cat was hissing and spitting as it was eventually pulled up out of the column and placed into a carrier box.”
The feline was taken to the vet for a check-up.
