Help to curb the feral cat population in Secunda CBD
“The best solutions is to trap, neuter and return the animals, and then to keep the colony happy and healthy. This includes regular food supplements, de-worming and health checks.”
SECUNDA – Kitten season is at its peak and the cat population in the central business district (CBD) in Secunda is sky-rocketing.
According to Ms Nicolette van Zyl, founder of Feral Watch TNR, the problem in die CBD is massive and should be tackled immediately before it becomes completely out of hand.
A quick visit to the CBD tallied a head count of between 80 to 100 feral cats, ranging from adults to newborns. They live in rubbish bins, in hide-outs, on buildings’s rooftops, in gutters and even between the shrubbery along the walkways.
“These were only the ones we could see. I am sure there are many kittens hidden from sight,” said Ms Van Zyl. The number of felines keeps growing, as a female is again ready to mate after her kittens are about five weeks old.
Female cats reproduce from as young as the age of four months.
Culling is not an option, because it will cause a vacuum effect of when the cats are away, the mice come out to play. Not only do these cats keep the rodents at bay, the colonies also prevent others from moving into their territory.
Thus, the moment a colony is removed, another will move into that territory. Where there is food, such as rodents, birds and waste generated by humans, cats will be present.
“The best solutions is to trap, neuter and return the animals, and then to keep the colony happy and healthy.
“This includes regular food supplements, de-worming and health checks.”
Ms Van Zyl said that it is also not an option to remove the kittens from their mothers, because then they need to be nursed and put up for adoption – something that does not often happen.
The trap, neuter and return process used by Feral Watch pays off and the team has a track record of this.
The process is however, costly and time-consuming.
“We can only trap as many cats as what we can afford to neuter. Vet bills are expensive. We can only sterilise if we have the money for it,” explained Ms Van Zyl.
Feral Watch TNR is a non-profit organisation and depends on donations to render their services. They need at least R50 000 for this massive project and call on businesses to help.
Mr Imraan Salajee, a property owner in the CBD, said he is impressed by the work Feral Watch TNR did at the Secunda Mall where the feral cats are now “employees” at the Secunda Mall.
He is the first businessman to support this initiative in the CBD and encourages others to follow suit.
Ms Van Zyl said this project must begin immediately to prevent unwanted births with the next kitty season.
Businesses that want to sponsor a cat, food or a vet run, can contact her on 082 781 9435.
Feral Watch is constantly active with raising funds for their work in the Govan Mbeki municipal area. The team will have a gift-wrapping stall in front of Truworths in the Secunda Mall this December.
Support this worthy cause by getting your Christmas gifts wrap for a donation towards Feral Watch TNR.
