Lifestyle Garden Centre has a large feral cat colony that has chosen to use their gardens as a home.
Concerned resident Helga Tsoumbris was disgusted at the condition of the cats. Two of the cats have green mucus oozing from their noses and mouths.
“These cats really don’t look well. Some of them are not sterilised, which is a problem,” said Tsoumbris.
Vivian Jones, a feral cat expert said, “A feral cat needs to be taken care of if they are at your business. They need food at least once a week or daily as well as water and some form of shelter.”
Pam Groen of Lifestyle explained that there are three feeding stations in and around Lifestyle. Each feeding station has clean water and feral cat food. The shelters are covered by an overhang and are cleaned at least once a day.
She added that a private vet comes in monthly to catch the cats and either sterilise or vaccinate them against cat leukaemia or Aids. “It is nearly impossible to catch every single one of the cats when the vet comes around. We have tried to get all of the cats sterilised and vaccinated; there are about 20 or more at the moment. Nearly all of the cats have been sterilised as seen by the clipped ear.”
What is far more disturbing is the prevalence of cat owners who simply leave their cats at Lifestyle when they are no longer wanted.
Groen said, “It has happened on many occasions. It’s incredibly frustrating as it only takes one unsterilised female and the colony expands. It is a repetitive cycle; the colony keeps growing and growing every time a person abandons their cats here.”
Jones added, “There is a trap, neuter and release (TNR) policy. This is imperative as a feral female cat can reproduce as early as four months and gives birth in about eight weeks.”
“We really do take care of the cats that are at Lifestyle. They are cared for as much as humanly possible. All the food and vet bills we incur are covered by Lifestyle ,” said Groen.
Details: Lifestyle, 011 792 5616.
