Written by Terry Zietsman
Professional photography by Katherine Orr
I was six years old when my mom and dad adopted Pardi and Beaki – unusual names – apparently, I chose them and, of course, no doubt made them up.
My love for cats has continued to grow and I started fostering kittens about 20 years ago. To date I’ve fostered and homed over 320 kittens and a few older cats. It’s interesting how cats seem to find the “sucker” they know will take care of them.
My foster-to-forever cats
My precious Sharde I found under a tree with three of her siblings in KwaZulu-Natal. I managed to fix her and her siblings, and she decided to move in with me and the two fur children I had at the time. I was heartbroken when she went to Kitty Heaven two years ago at the age of 19. However, I know she’d had a good life with me.
Ori and Oski – my two boys – were brought to me 12 years ago with their brother in a Checkers packet. Their “human” owner said she was sick and tired of her cat having kittens, so she put them in a packet to “throw them to the security dogs across the road”. May Karma “bless” her! I managed to find a home for one of the little boys but fell in love and kept the other two. I bottle-fed them and today they think they’re little humans and bring much amusement and love.
Abbi and little foster Emmi
Abbi, who’s almost 16, was found on a school field all alone. I took her in to foster her and fell in love. She doesn’t like people, no doubt owing to her horrible start to life. However, as frail as she now is, she’s the most wonderful foster mom to the many kittens I’ve fostered.
Feeding 24 ferals
At present I feed 24 feral cats in different locations:
The Olivedale Colonies
At the beginning of 2020 – yes, the year of Covid – I had a very unexpected cancer diagnosis. After surgery, which took place just after we went into lockdown, I had to travel to Olivedale Hospital every day to undergo numerous radiotherapy sessions. I recall parking my car on the third day and seeing a few cats in the parking lot. They weren’t in great condition and I started feeding them. I met a few staff members who worked in the hospital who were feeding them between their shifts.
The history of the colony (in fact, there are two at Olivedale – one on the oncology side and one on the hospital side) apparently originated when about six pure-bred seal point Siamese were dumped! Some of them were covered by various males passing through. The offspring were a combination of Siamese cross and other colours. At present there are five of the original Siamese and four half-Siamese cats, plus four black cats that have joined the colony. I’ve given all of them names.
One in particular, Olivia (after Olivedale), I couldn’t catch despite more than 10 attempts. Over a period of three years, Olivia gave birth to 11 kittens. I took all of them to foster and managed to find wonderful homes for all except her last tiny baby who died in my arms after I found her.
Two of Olivia's little babies
Sadly, last year I had to catch Olivia, who’d become very ill, and have her put to sleep. Sassy and Millie also went to Kitty Heaven last year.
Thanks to assistance from some very kind people, we’ve placed houses and blankets, and the furries are now well fed and taken care of.
The North Road Colonies
The other colony I found in North Road, Dunkeld, when I moved into the area and started my walking. There are four separate colonies, two of which are being fed by a lady who works in one of the office buildings. The other two (and a few loners) I feed every day when I can, and if not, I have a wonderful group of ladies who help with feeding.
It’s been incredible to watch how these cats’ health has improved as they’ve been fed properly. I’ve also managed to deworm them and put down houses and blankets, which has definitely improved their quality of life.
Godmother to many cats
The kittens I’ve fostered over the years have come from various places. It’s incredibly heartbreaking and sad to see how some people treat animals. Many of the kittens are born because people haven’t had their cats sterilised or are using the cats to keep the rodent population down and aren’t interested in taking care of them. Some cats have also been dumped as kittens and have then had kittens of their own.
Kittens are often put in boxes and dumped on the side of the road or outside spaza shops or in factory work areas. Many are also thrown into skips to be “discarded”.
I believe that making a difference by taking in these lost souls and teaching them how to love and be loved is so important. Most importantly, it’s not only about the kittens, it’s about the love they bring to those who adopt them.
Having kept in touch with so many people over the years who’ve adopted from me, I’m godmother to many, many cats which I love. A special thank you to everyone who’s reached out and given these adorable babies a wonderful home.
