Centurion’s hero for July is besotted with cats
“There are people that don’t like cats, but Irma has an aura about her that attracts cats. When they spot her, they run to her in groups. I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
The Centurion Hero in Rekord and West Pack Lifestyle’s competition for the month of July is Irma van der Westhuizen (née Genis) from Eldoraigne.
Founder of a local cat shelter, Irma (47) said she was “very soft-hearted with a love for animals because some of them had already been hurt so many times before”.
Originally from Louis Trichardt in Limpopo, Irma has been living in Centurion for the past 10 years.
Cat Utopia Rescue Centre is a shelter for rescued cats which Irma started in June last year, she said, “although I have been caring for animals all my life”.
She said those who assist her were godsend.
“We created a kind of retirement centre for feral cats using recycled items to build it, because nobody wants these cats as they are wild,” Irma said.
She said they bottle-feed the kittens and find them good homes in co-operation with Cat Network, “which does house inspections for us”.
“We also have stray cats sterilised. We never ask others to support us financially, we only always request anyone who wishes to assist, to donate food for the cats.”
Irma said if there is one thing she would like to teach people, then it is not to touch kittens when found.
“People always think they rescue the kittens, but their mother hunts during the day to have enough milk for them during the night.
“We sit through entire nights to try and save the lives of these kittens, but they usually don’t make it.”
Another one of Irma’s pleas is for cat owners to please have their cats sterilised.
Irma’s right hand at Cat Utopia Rescue Centre and personal assistant, Elrize Marais (26) said although she was an animal lover herself, she has never before met anyone with a heart for animals quite like that of Irma’s, but especially for cats.
“There are people that don’t like cats, but Irma has an aura about her that attracts cats. When they spot her, they run to her in groups. I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
Elrize said they feed and care for the cats, and often just sit with them to offer them the love and attention they would have received in a home with a family.
“Irma treats every cat as if is the only cat that exists. And the cats’ health is very important to her.”
Elrize said whenever a cat needs medical attention, Irma doesn’t hesitate or waste time, she gets them to a vet as soon as possible.
“We would like to create an environment later on such as a tea garden, where the centre is more accessible to the public so people can get more involved.”
To find out more about the Rekord and West Pack Lifestyle Centurion Hero competition or to nominate someone you think deserves to be honoured visit the Rekord website at www.rekord.co.za.
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