Cat out the bag
FERNDALE – Malibongwe Ferals and Furry Fosters team up to tackle feral cat issue.
Joburg has a feral cat problem, and non-profit organisations Furry Fosters and Malibongwe Ferals have teamed up to address this.
Volunteers trap, neuter and release feral cats, and much of their work lately has been done on properties along Malibongwe Drive, Ferndale.
Local vets provide their services to the organisations at a reduced cost, and after a cat has been sterilised the tip of its ear is clipped so volunteers know which cats have been treated.
“One mother cat can give birth to four kittens every three to four months,” explained volunteer Ciaran Harris.
“So that is 12 kittens per year, and the feral cat population grows and grows. Some colonies have 50 cats. There are now feral cat colonies at so many business parks and properties, if you take one colony away another will move in.”
The solution is to neuter as many cats as possible, whether male or female.
Neutering safeguards cats from feline Aids (FIV), and makes them less prone to roaming and fighting.
“If a cat with FIV scratches another cat, that cat can get infected and get very sick ” explained Jade Bezuidenhout.
“It is why we encourage owners to neuter their cats, whether the cat is male or female.”
A colony with breeding cats does not only increase the risk of health issues in those cats, but it can kill off much of the local bird population, leading to an increase in bugs in the area.
Conversely, when a colony has been neutered, it can limit the pest populations in the area with few issues arising, as these cats are less prone to roaming and fighting.
The organisations also leave food out for the cats to keep them from scavenging too much or too far.
Nicole Schild first started working with feral cats five years ago when she discovered four kittens on the property of Concord College.
She, along with other volunteers, have since trapped, neutered and released dozens of cats, and rehomed even more kittens.
“There are three cat colonies in this area and we hope to sort them all out and move on down Malibongwe Drive,” she said.
The organisations appreciate monetary donations but people who can help with feeding, driving or deworming the cats are also welcome.
“If we had the funds and help, we could catch as many feral cats as are in the area,” volunteer Rachel Lambie concluded.
Details: malibongweferals@gmail.com
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