Stray cat, Ginger finds forever home with Musgrave couple

GINGER the stray cat has found a new home after being adopted by a retired couple at Musgrave.

Ginger was featured in Berea Mail a couple of weeks ago alongside a story about Jackie de Gaye, the cat lady who feeds feral cats in and around the Glenwood and Umbilo areas.

Ginger used to be a domestic cat but after his adopted family left the city, Ginger became a stray cat with a fussy diet of wet tuna. 

After seeing the story in the paper, Merris and Malcolm Hardwick got in touch with De Gaye about the possibilities of adopting him. 

“I said alright straight away, when do you need me to bring him,” recalls an excited De Gaye.

On Thursday last week, after her usual morning rounds, De Gaye took Ginger and put him in a cage to meet his new family. 

Along with Merris and Malcolm, Ginger will also be living with two other cats and two dogs.

Upon arriving at the Hardwick home, Ginger typically did not react well to the dogs. 

Growling loudly and snapping at his cage, as any stray cat would react to dogs, said De Gaye. 

However, Ginger did react well to Merris and his new room. Merris said she planned on keeping him inside the room for a couple of days until he got used to the dogs who were intently peeping at him through the glass door.

ALSO READ: Cat woman feeds feral cats in Glenwood

As retirees, with adult children who have long left the family home, the Hardwick’s have filled their home with rescue pets. All their dogs and cats are rescues, said Merris.

“I just feel for the animals, I am pet mad. He will be very happy here.” said Merris. Malcolm said when they saw Ginger in the paper, “I knew straight away he needed a home.”

De Gaye said she was overjoyed Ginger had found a home. 

“He will be very happy here, they are nice, friendly people,” she said. “I wish all my feral cats could also get adopted into lovely homes.”

After a couple of days, Merris came back with a progress report. “He has settled in as if he has always been here. He cuddled up next to Malcolm when he had his afternoon nap. He is lovely. We are going to call him Rusty, a new home a new identity. He hasn’t stopped eating,” she said.

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