POLOKWANE – There are a lot of people who cannot have babies and so they find comfort in caring for animals instead.
With Mother’s Day coming up, Review spoke to a foster mother for cats, Suzette Prinsloo.
Suzette explains that since she was a child, she would bring home kittens to feed and look after until they were old enough to go to permanent homes.
“Last year in September, I received my first few kittens from Catsnip, a non-profit organization that helps educate people in nurturing their cats. I kept one kitten but gave the others away.”
She explains that giving them to their forever families is hard and she cries her eyes out, but to see them go to a loving family, is a comfort.
“Most people often send me photos of how the cats grow and it is comforting to know that the kittens found their forever homes.”
As soon as Catsnip volunteers find kittens, they are taken to the vet where they are tested for feline aids and leukemia. If they have sniffels, a disease cats get, they are also put on medication.
“Having a new born kitten is hard work. I recently had nine kittens and had to prepare bottles throughout the night. It is hard work as you have to stimulate their bodies into functioning just as their mother would.”
As the kittens turn six weeks old, homes are found for them.
By now Suzette has fell in love with the little fur bundle and it is hard to let go. She does not name the kittens, as not to get too attached and so, she rather gives them pet names.
“To feed a kitten from one week to six weeks cost you about R6000. That is not included other vet bills,” she said.
Suzette believes that in order to become a foster mother for kittens, you need to have absolute passion for them and to love animals.
