Increase in cats dumped during lockdown says uMhlanga animal rescuer
Feral cat rescuer said she has seen an increase in dumping of cats around north Durban.
ON a daily basis, Tracey Hartley feeds more than 100 cats in more than 20 colonies in and around Durban.
The uMhlanga resident is part of the Feral Cat Rescue Trust, which is run by a small group of volunteers, passionate about giving feral cats a better quality of life on the streets.
The rescue’s primary concern is sterilisation, but to also feed colonies and rescue sick and injured felines.
Hartley who has continued her work during the nationwide lockdown said she has noticed an increase in dumping of cats, this despite the fact that people were not able to move freely.
“On the upside I’ve noticed the cats in the different colonies I feed have thrived without human presence but on the downside I’ve noticed new cats in the colonies I feed. I have proof of it because at one of the colonies I feed in uMhlanga Ridge I’ve noticed more cats coming to the feeding station which I’d never seen before. It could be down to sheer cruelty of not wanting a pet anymore due to whatever circumstances that they are being dumped,” she explained.
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Last week Hartley helped release a feral cat she had captured at Virginia Beach.
“In one way it was a positive getting this young male neutered but I always say this is not an ideal life for cats. Most of the cats I’ve rescued from Virginia Beach who I’ve helped neutered or spay have been full of ticks. I’m glad we were able to help this young male but I worry that as the lockdown goes on we will see more cats being dumped at various spots,” she said.
Farrah Khan Maharajh said she too had noticed an increase in pets being dumped.
The Redhill resident who runs the NPO, Feeding the Furballs, which helps rescue animals and rescue organisations with food and supplies, said she has responded to various calls about pets being dumped or surrendered.
“I’ve seen an influx of persons surrendering their pets, in some cases due to financial reasons due to job losses during the coronavirus pandemic. On the other hand there are people who are dumping their pets because they couldn’t care less. We feed close to 600 animals and we’ve certainly seen an increase in cats and kittens being abandoned. I do feel the animal welfare sector has been overlooked during the lockdown but despite this, organisations like mine and Tracey’s are still responding to calls and offering assistance where we can,” she said.
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If you would like to support Hartley, visit the Facebook page, Feral Cat Rescue Trust, Durban.
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