ANIMAL shelters across Durban stipulate the importance of feral cats in the community.
The chipped ears of cats that have been trapped, neutered and released (TNR) is a method that is proving to be effective.
Those who have visited shopping centres, hotels or the beachfront in and around Durban would have noticed the many cats slinking along the parking lot, running across the road, or nosing through a dustbin.
These feral cats are trying to survive on whatever food they can scrounge.
But feral cats actually do the community an enormous favour. The felines keep rats, mice, snakes and cockroaches away from homes, factories and shopping centres and more importantly under control.
The feral cats only become a problem when they are not cared for or managed. They then breed uncontrollably, producing dozens of kittens every year that face an uncertain future of possible abuse and neglect.
The trend worldwide is towards trap, neuter and release. This means that feral cats are caught, spayed or neutered so that they can’t have kittens. Cats are territorial, so they will prevent other cats from coming into their space.
They are also clean animals and seldom carry any diseases. There are none, anyway, that can pose a threat to humans. It is not advised to remove them or even worse, kill them as you are creating a vacuum that will attract other cats.
Rescue organisation, Cats of Durban offer sterilisation of the strays at a reduced rate of R600 for two stray cats for the months of May and June. This is not to be confused with domesticated cats.
For more information on this offer, contact Lizette at catsofdurban@gmail.com Terms and conditions apply.
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