Charity shop for feral cats opens doors in Mondeor

Jozi South Feral Cats Charity Shop officially opened its doors to the community on June 4 in Mondeor.

The establishing of the charity store is to aid feral cats and furry friends from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Jozi South Feral Cat Carers was registered as a NPO in January 2019 although the group has been busy with the Trap-Neuter-Return of feral cats for close to 15 years.

The main purpose of the organisation is to trap neuter and return feral cats. They also assist with domestic cats and some dogs in disadvantaged areas and feed several colonies of feral cats.

According to Charlmaine Pereira, owner of the charity store, their target area is mainly Johannesburg South, but they extend their help where necessary.

“Our target is to get at least hundred sterilisations done per month. In 2021, at least 1 108 sterilisations were done although several obstacles were encountered. It was Covid-19 restrictions, people going through financial difficulties and few donations available,” she said.

She said this is made possible through the massive support they receive from vets.

“Without Dr Joe Lewis, Dr Ash and the vets at the Animal Anti-Cruelty League, we will not be able to get so many cats and some dogs sterilised. We do try and have as many fundraisers as possible. In September 2021, we had our first golf day which was a huge success and our next golf day will be on August 26, so please come and support us,” said Pereira.

Pereira also said Aspen Feral Cats is their nursery part of the organisation.

“If kittens are found, they are then rehabilitated and rehomed from the nursey. Any adoption is preceded by a home check and kittens are only homed once sterilised, vaccinated and microchipped,” she said.