TWELVE years ago, while on her usual run along Durban’s beachfront, Lynne Goodman was handed a little black kitten by a fellow jogger she would often encounter on the promenade. The woman asked Lynne to please take the kitten to the SPCA as she did not have transport to do so herself.
Lynne took the kitten to her beachfront flat which soon became the fluff ball’s new home.
Having always been a nurturing person, Lynne started thinking about all the other abandoned and feral cats in the community which led to her taking it upon herself to make a difference in the lives of these cats.
“I believe in sweating the small stuff,” says Lynne, who lives by Mother Teresa’s quote, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
After resigning as the Arts Editor for The Mercury, Lynne started a self help group for people with eating disorders. As Lynne grew older, she realised that those who battled eating disorders may not be able to identify with her any more so decided to step down. Soon she was giving her love and attention to creatures of a different kind.
Hundreds of feral cats benefit from Lynne’s big heart and giving nature. She feeds four cat colonies located around Durban. “Feeding is important, but it is also important to sterilise,” said Lynne who owns two cat traps. She uses the traps to catch cats and then takes them to the vet for sterilisation.
Trapping is fairly specialised and takes patience. Lynne explains that if your first attempt at trapping a cat is unsuccessful, chances are you will never be able to trap that cat again. Lynne identifies cats that need to be sterilised within a community. Because they are being fed, they become fairly familiar with Lynne which makes it easier for her to trap them.
Lynne relies on funding for sterilisation.
Feral colonies are useful to have around because they keep bad elements like rats, out. This is the message that Lynne tries to get across to landlords and factory owners. As long as they are sterilised and inoculated, feral colonies will do no harm.
Through feeding cats, Lynne has been introduced to people she would never have met ordinarily. While feeding at Durban’s Point, Lynne came across people staying at the old Ark who would care for the cats. “What is heart warming to discover is that the real have-nots of our society still give of themselves by feeding strays. I have met prostitutes and people who are down and out, who feed stray cats at the Point,” said Lynne.
A lot of time goes into feeding cats. “Luckily my husband sleeps a lot,” laughs Lynne. Every morning she cooks a pot of rice to be mixed with the cat food before setting out to her usual feeding spots. “The cats are usually waiting for me and come charging when I call,” she said.
Lynne runs a stall at the Essenwood market where she sells dog jerseys, chews and books on pets and animals. She also collects donations for feeding and sterilising cats.
“I want to encourage people to fight to keep cats in complexes and urge body corporates to allow residents to have pets,” she said, adding, “look for ways around body corporate rules.” Lynne also finds cats for people who are looking to expand their family with the addition of a fluffy creature. “Tell me you want a grey cat in December and I will get you one,” she said, adding that giving a cat a loving home is one of the most rewarding aspects of what she does.
