Edenvale Ferals in need of a new vehicle
“By having a bigger and more reliable vehicle, we will be able to get so much more done,” said Christopher.
With its third birthday coming up, Edenvale Ferals has appealed to the community for assistance to raise funds for a much-needed vehicle.
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One of the founders and Kempton Park resident Christopher Mynhardt explained that since it was established, the NPC has rescued and transported thousands of cats with its “feral van”.
However, Christopher explained the vehicle is no longer reliable and needs to be replaced.
He said over the past three years, the vehicle has been in for repairs 21 times.
“The first year we had the vehicle, it went in for repairs one time. All the other repairs occurred over the remaining two years,” said Christopher.
Speaking on the importance of a new vehicle, Christopher said there have been several occasions where he found himself stranded on the side of the road with the van and cats the NPC had trapped.
“There is no worse feeling than being stuck,” highlighted Christopher.
Because of the van’s unreliability, Christopher started using a smaller vehicle so the NPC could continue doing the work it set out to do.
Christopher said although the NPC has a vehicle to transport traps, cats and other items, the size of the vehicle limits the number of cats and traps it can transport.
“By having a bigger and more reliable vehicle, we will be able to get so much more done,” said Christopher.
“We will be able to trap and transport more cats, and when we attend events, we will be able to transport more items.”
He said having a larger vehicle will also help the NPC in terms of transporting cats it has trapped for mass sterilisation.
Christopher said Edenvale Ferals is working in partnership with a vet in Mokopane and needs a larger vehicle to transport the animals for mass sterilisation.
The NPC’s goal is to raise R150 000 by its third birthday on March 9 so that it can purchase a reliable vehicle.
Christopher said any company which donates R1 000 or more to the campaign will have its name listed on the new vehicle.
For some added excitement, Christopher said community members can look forward to several fund-raising milestones during the campaign.
When the campaign has raised R50 000, Christopher will don a catsuit and stand at the intersection of Van Riebeeck Avenue and Stoneridge Drive to create awareness about the NPC.
Once the fundraising campaign has raised R100 000 Christopher, who plays the electric guitar as a hobby, will stand on Linksfield Road Bridge, dressed in a catsuit, playing his pink electric guitar for an hour.
When the campaign reaches R150 000, he, who has a fear of heights, will bungee jump from the Orlando Towers.
“If the vehicle is donated to Edenvale Ferals, I will do all three tasks in one day,” said Christopher.
Besides appealing to the community for assistance, Christopher said the NPC will continue to raise funds at community markets.
He said it is also considering hosting a raffle. If this is done, the raffle will be launched in mid-February.
For more information, visit the NPC’s website or Facebook Page.
Alternatively, email edenvaleferals@gmail.com for more information.
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