Edenvale Ferals continues to grow with community’s support
“The decision to start Edenvale Ferals stemmed from visions and dreams to do more.”
Christopher Mynhardt, one of the founders of Edenvale Ferals, was recently selected as the winner of the Bedfordview and Edenvale News and West Pack Lifestyle Hero of the Month’s November competition.
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Founded in March 2019, the non-profit company cares for, feeds, neuters and spays feral cats in the greater Edenvale area.
With 128 volunteers, the NPC cares for over 700 cats distributed throughout 42 colonies located in areas such as Meadowdale, Edenvale and Modderfontein.
Christopher, who has always cared for animals, explained that the NPC started with a group of six individuals caring for 86 cats.
The 86 cats lived in feral colonies located in the Edenvale, Meadowdale, Senderwood and Stoneridge areas.
The NPC intends to reduce the feral cat population in Edenvale and surrounding areas in addition to educating the community.
Its primary goal is to trap, neuter and release feral cats.
Once the cats are neutered or spayed, their ears are marked and they are released into their original colony.
Christopher explained that he never really grew up with animals.
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“The last time I had a cat as I child was when I was six years old.”
Growing up in a flat, the rules did not allow Christopher to have pets.
In 2017, Christopher started volunteering with Edenvale Community Cats and an informal feral feeding group.
Although he wasn’t allowed pets as a child, that is not the case today.
Christopher described his home as a menagerie having several pets, ranging from cats, dogs birds and even a spider.
“The decision to start Edenvale Ferals stemmed from visions and dreams to do more,” said Christopher.
He explained that working with other organisations, the funding wasn’t always available.
“To achieve those dreams and assist more feral cats, a few friends and I came together and started Edenvale Ferals,” said Christopher.
Christopher said after starting Edenvale Ferals, the group grew like wildfire.
He attributed a large amount of the NPC’s success to the community of Edenvale.
Giving an example, Christopher said the NPC put out a plea for donations for food on its social media platforms in October.
“The response we received from the community exceeded our exactions.”
Christopher said the organisation received R20 000 in monetary and food donations.
On November 19, the NPC asked the community for donations towards its traps, by November 20, it had raised R3 900 from the community.
“The success of Edenvale Ferals is not mine alone, it’s the community’s, it has helped push the organisation to where it is.”
Besides thanking the community, Christopher thanked Tails and Whiskers Charity Shop, which the NPC is a beneficiary of.
He said funds raised by the charity shop assists Edenvale Ferals with its veterinary bills.
Speaking on the NPC’s plans for the future, Christopher said it is currently working on obtaining its non-profit organisation status.
Christopher said becoming an NPO will make fundraising easier in addition to gaining support from businesses.
Once Edenvale Ferals is an NPO, it will be able to supply businesses with a section 18 certificate.
Besides working towards obtaining its NPO status, Edenvale Ferals is also in the process of acquiring a new vehicle for the trapping and transporting of cats.
Christopher explained that the current vehicle is unreliable.
Visit www.edenvaleferals.co.za to contact the NPC or learn more about it.
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