Experts weigh in on missing cats

As investigations are still underway, anyone with any information about the disappearances or killing of cats in the Roodepoort area is encouraged to make contact.

Twané's son with their ginger kitty, who has gone missing as well.

After posting two articles conveying the turmoil cat owners from all around Roodepoort have experienced due to their cats going missing or dying under suspicious circumstances, the Roodepoort Northsider/ Record has approached various community members who can be seen as experts in their fields of inquiry.

Emile Lenzi with Gigi, who went missing earlier this year.

Brendan Murray from the Owl Rescue Centre explained that there have been no reports of owls or other birds of prey catching felines in the Roodepoort area, thus eliminating them from the list of possible ‘suspects’.

• Also read: Appeal to the community to help relocate rescued cats

Karin Spottiswoode from the Kloofendal Nature Reserve and Phillip Mkhombo, North Conservation Specialist at Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo were approached about the possibility of illegal snares in the area, as well as any sightings of the missing cats in the reserve. Both explained that although they have heard about the disappearances and had been keeping a lookout for the cats, they, unfortunately, have not sighted any missing cats or any remains that could be linked to them.

• Also read: Mysterious disappearance of cats leave owners tormented

“We have never come across a snare which could catch a cat,” explained Mkhombo, adding that in April he caught a ginger cat in the reserve and personally drove to Ponder’s End, “unfortunately no one came out to see the cat and I released it.” Mkhombo sent one of the cat owners a picture of the cat he caught and Carol Lenzi confirmed that although the cat Mkhombo caught bears some resemblance to her cat, Gigi, it was not one of the missing cats.

Amber-Jade Pullen holding her beloved fur-babies ashes next to a portrait she drew of Oreo.

Mandy Cattanach, manager of the Roodepoort/ Krugersdorp SPCA, explained that while they have investigated complaints regarding missing cats they have yet to conclude.

Oreo’s ashes after he was poisoned and died in his owners’ arms.

“There are several reasons why a cat disappears. It is always advisable for cat owners to try and keep their cats on their property. Catproofing a yard is expensive but that’s the only way to ensure a pet is safe,” Cattanach said.

As investigations are still underway, anyone with any information about the disappearances or killing of cats in the Roodepoort area is encouraged to contact the Northsider journalist Nicola via email at nicola@caxton.co.za.