THE media centre at Penzance Primary School is currently home to three adorable, playful kittens. These are just three of the many kittens rescued by teacher, Mrs K Ezra. Ezra had been bringing the kittens to school with her each day so that she could feed them. Together with fellow teachers and cat lovers, Mrs J Storm and Miss K Brightman, a fundraising initiative was launched. Every break, pupils are encouraged to visit the media centre, pay R5 and visit Cat Cafe, where they can play with the little fur balls. A maximum of 10 pupils are allowed per break. “The response has been phenomenal and every break the play sessions are fully booked,” said Storm, the media centre teacher. All money raised is used to sterilise and feed feral cats.
Pupils have also been bringing in blankets, toys, food and bowls to be donated to cats.
Not just raising funds, the teachers are also educating the pupils about cats. “We supervise the play sessions and show the pupils how to handle the kittens. We are also highlighting the fact that there are lots of feral and abandoned cats in need of care,” said Storm who has created a beautiful display related to cats at the entrance of Cat Cafe.
The kittens return home with Ezra each day and Cat Cafe will continue to run until the end of this week.
Storm says that there are many benefits associated with owning a cat. “Spending time with a cat is said to reduce stress and anxiety, improves your mood and lowers your blood pressure,” she said.
“The SPCA, Kitten Rescue and Kitten Action have lots of kittens waiting to be adopted,” said Brightman.
The pupils at Penzance Primary are passionate about taking care of animals. They will be holding a cake sale later this week to raise money for the Inanda Dogs Project.
