Guest speaker chats about cats at Eikenhof WI

SUIDEROORD – Feral cats can be found at many shopping centres, where they feed from dustbins to survive.  You’ll also find them living on empty land, where they’ll hunt for mice and rats. You won’t normally see them, as they only appear after dusk and when it’s quiet.

Charlmaine said, “My passion for feral cats began a few years ago and since then I’ve become involved in a feeding scheme with a couple of other women.  We go out most evenings to different spots and feed the cats and try and catch the ones who need sterilising. This isn’t easy but we have special cages which we put food into and then they’ll be tempted to enter the cage. These cats are then taken to be sterilised and after they’ve recovered they are brought back to the same spot. One of their ears is snipped so we can recognise which have been sterilised for the future.  A cat which hasn’t been sterilised can have up to three litters of kittens a year, ranging from one to six kittens.

“Even though they can fend for themselves they still need to be looked after. The Glen Shopping Centre came on board last year and has assisted us with shelters and feeding stations, as well as donating food and money to assist with having the cats sterilised. This has really helped us and most of the cats there are healthy and well cared for. Often people think the feral cats should be caught and euthanized but if we did this another group of cats would move onto the same site, so it’s far better that we keep the numbers down and supplement the cats diet to keep them healthy.

“We are always looking for anyone who would like to help us, as well as monetary donations and cat food,” added Charlmaine. If you would like to assist, please phone Charlmaine 082 750 7449082 750 7449.

Next month’s meeting will be the AGM.

On Wednesday April 9 Eikenhof WI invites all ladies and ladies groups to join them for a morning of fun and fellowship, and to learn more about this worldwide organisation, which has been quoted as the most influential women’s organisation of the 20^th century. There will be demonstrations and an exhibition of art and crafts. Tea and cake will be served. The meeting will take place at 09:30 at St Andrew’s Church, 45 Burger Street, Suideroord. For more information phone Joy Boswell 084 526 5857084 526 5857 or 011 433 8107011 433 8107.