Missing cats concern Parkhill community

RESIDENTS have expressed outrage and concern following the disappearance of several cats in the Parkhill community over the last few months. What’s more, the residents say they are convinced that a ‘cat trapper’ is responsible for the disappearance of domestic and stray cats.

This after Tracey Hartley of the Feral Cat Rescue Trust learned that someone had reportedly trapped a domestic as well as a stray cat on East View Road and delivered it to the Durban and Coast SPCA.

Hartley said, “The stray had a clipped ear, which indicates that he is a sterilised stray, and whenever a clipped ear kitty is brought into the SPCA they call me to have them taken back to the colony. The lady at the reception told me that the feral and one other cat, which seemed to be tame, had been trapped on East View Road and brought to the SPCA at the same time,” she said.

The stray was returned to the colony on the corner of East View and Stathearn Roads, which is cared for by Candi Elisabettini, a Stathearn Road resident.

Denise Masson, a Clarendon Road resident and chairman of the Clarendon Neighbourhood Watch, said they had received several reports of someone trapping cats in the area and then taking them to the Durban and Coast SPCA. Masson said she has also lost two of her cats, Oros and Broken Arrow. They have been missing for more than a month.

“Since we have started making a stink, it seems the disappearances have stopped,” she said.

Elisabettini said, “There has been an influx of feral cats in the area recently. And I believe someone has grown fed up and has decided to trap them. But now people’s pets are getting caught in the crossfire.”

Hanco Vosser, who lives on Highlands Road, has also desperately been trying to find his missing feline, Gizmo, for more than two months.

Not only has he personally explored the area in search of her, but he has also turned to social media in the hopes of finding her.

“She is not a wanderer and has a very loveable nature. We have left all the windows open in the hopes that she will return, but nothing so far. Every time we hear the slightest noise we rush to see if it could be her,” he said.

Lindsey Fogarty of the Durban and Coast SPCA said there was no evidence to suggest that a single individual was trapping and bringing cats to the SPCA. She added that all of the cats brought into their care, except for one, have been feral felines. She urged anyone with proof of such actions to contact the SPCA immediately. She also appealed to residents to have their pets microchipped.

“This would ensure that if someone’s pet is bought into the SPCA or any veterinary clinic that the owners could be alerted almost immediately. It has been proven to be the most successful way of ensuring that pets are returned to their homes,” she said.

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