The feral cats’ saviours

OLIVEDALE – A local resident has been feeding feral cats for past 14 years at the Olivedale Corner Shopping Centre.

Charnelle Opperman has been feeding the cats every day at the centre where shelters have been built for the cats. Two years ago she was joined by Ursula Crawshay-Hall.

Opperman has trapped, sterilised and released most of the cats with the help of a few shelters. While some of the sterilisations were sponsored by shelters, most of the money came out of her own pocket.

“A colony is a pack, they keep other unwanted feral cats away. If you remove a colony from where they are. You are only creating opportunities for new colonies to form. We make sure that it’s always clean here and that all the cats are well taken care of,” said Opperman.

“All the cats have names. It’s important for the people of the community to understand that this is happening at all the shopping centres, not just here. You can’t remove a colony from where they are.”

One of the shops at the centre, Rebel Paint and Hardware, noticed the cat colony when they opened their doors. They have accepted the cats and have supported Opperman and Crawshay-Hall who continue to feed them. Sometimes the two women leave food at the shop and the owner, Chris Oppenhem and his daughter Sarah Finchell feed the cats.

Before the hardware store opened, the space was occupied, amongst other things, by an old pub. The cats have stayed there throughout all the changes.

Rebel Paint and Hardware have also started their own small initiative called ‘Scratch Patch’ for the cats. They sell small bolts and parts for only R5 and they also have a donation box. Sarah Finchell said, “A woman and her daughter come to see the cats regularly. Most people enjoy coming to the shop just to see the cats.”

According to Opperman, people love the cats, some have even approached her while she was feeding them. She added that every donation helps, however, she is not looking for monetary donations, she is would rather the community show their support by donating catfood. Individuals can also come and feed the animals themselves.

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