THEY say people who love cats have the biggest hearts and this is certainly true of the guardians of the South Coast’s feral cats, Elaine Steabler from Hibiscus Animal Welfare, Liesel van der Colff from Hibberdene, Trudie Roets and Cecilia Woodgitt from Uvongo, Amanda de Villiers and Lesley Spada from Southport, and Daisy Conway of Umtentweni.
These women are dedicated to picking up the pieces when people abandon or neglect their cats. “We are seeing more and more animals being abandoned,” said Elaine.
She stressed that it’s important to preserve a cat colony in a particular area, so another one doesn’t move in. These colonies help keep rats and snakes away, and Elaine pleads for mercy, encouraging people not to kill these animals.
The women agreed that if everyone adopted a feral cat colony in their area there would be less of a problem.
Amanda said these cats, like any other animal, need food, water, love – and to be sterilised. She stressed that people need to take responsibility for their pets. “If you can’t afford to adopt a pet, don’t,” she added.
Liesel is currently feeding 10 friendly house trained cats after a woman living in Hibberdene moved house, leaving the cats behind. These beautiful animals are now looking for loving homes.
Trudie feeds 11 colonies, some made up of up to 85 cats, between Orange Rocks and Shelly Beach four times a week. “Feeding these cats is food for my soul,” she said. Daisy feeds cats in Port Shepstone, while Cecilia has gone so far as to build a small haven on her property for the not so feral stray cats she has rescued.
The women have many tales of animal abuse to tell, and they often take in abandoned animals, sometimes in the middle of the night. Lesley recently rescued a kitten that was thrown out of a vehicle at the Marburg toll plaza. Her house is now home to two three-legged cats and one without an eye.
The women agree that the Lower South Coast SPCA and veterinarians Dr Leon Brüggemann and Dr Claire Norton have been extremely supportive and have helped with the sterilisation of many of the cats.
Anyone who is interested in helping these women feed the cats either by donating food or making cash donations can contact Elaine at 039 6813909 or 071 8144018. Raw chickens in particular would be greatly appreciated.
Donations will also go towards helping Harmony Animal Hill’s Cat Cradle and Dog Rescue havens. If you are considering a spring clean, keep in mind the Spiller Girl’s Charity Shop, which supports Hibiscus Animal Welfare, and which desperately needs second hand items to sell.
