It’s an emotional struggle – Engela Botha
Engela said she holds Adele responsible for the situation she was in.
“I am really struggling emotionally; I still see my cats everywhere,” said an emotional Engela Botha, a week after her 170 cats were confiscated by the Roodepoort SPCA.
The Record paid a visit to Botha last week to find out how she is coping. The smell of disinfectant was evident and the few pieces of furniture had been moved to one side in order for her to clean the house. The catteries have not been broken down and remain a stark reminder of what her life was before the SPCA knocked on her door.
“Two SPCA inspectors, Mike Allen and Eric Taljaard came to visit me last week and I signed the cats over to the SPCA on condition that I can have four of them back in two weeks’ time. I am also allowed to keep one of the catteries in the back to keep them safe from my dogs. I undertook to not allow my love for animals to escalate out of control again,” said Engela.
She explained that things got out of control when a charity organisation called Friends of the Cat approached her to foster some of the stray cats they find. “Adele Joffe from this organisation started giving me cats to take care of. Over one weekend she dropped off 14 cats, even though I am a pensioner and struggle financially. I believe they took advantage of my love for cats. Adele knew that I would not be able to say no and if I did, she played on my emotions and I ended up with the cat anyway,” Engela said and added that Friends of the Cat regularly provided her with cat food.
Engela said she holds Adele responsible for the situation she was in. “After the SPCA left, I fell apart and called Adele. She said ‘It is not my problem, you murdered your cats’. Needless to say, I was devastated. After I got involved with the organisation, things happened very quickly. My house filled up with cats practically overnight.”
The Record contacted Adele for comment, but she declined, stating that she had nothing to say.
Engela said although she misses her cats terribly, she is not loaded with so much work anymore. “I used to spend my days taking care of the cats. I also pet sit and au pair for an extra income. Right now, I’m cleaning my house. All the extra cat stuff will be donated to a animal charity.”
Her dogs received a clean bill of health from a vet and have been allowed to remain in her care.
“I’ve had a hard life and had a lot to deal with. I lost everything when my husband died 20 years ago. I lost my business and my house, but I managed to pick myself up and build my life up again. When my son died of a heart attack last year, the cats were my comfort and salvation,” Engela said. “I will build my life up again and I will get past this. I am also seeing a counsellor to help me cope,”
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
Also read:
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
