Written by Melody Pretorius – Operations Manager of Harties Feral Cat Rescue, who also supplied the photographs
It was in the early hours of the morning, while mindlessly scrolling through Facebook, that fate intervened. A post from the SPCA caught my eye – an image of a feral tabby cat named Gracie. Something inside me whispered to go back and look again. Just months before, one of our beloved ferals, Kita, had gone missing, and for a fleeting moment, I thought this could be her.
I immediately sent the post to my husband, asking for his opinion. His response was hesitant: he didn’t think it was Kita but wasn’t entirely sure. The uncertainty gnawed at me, and I found myself impatiently waiting for the SPCA to open. The moment they did, I was on the phone, eager to gather more information. When I learned that Gracie had been a mine cat from our very own town, my resolve strengthened. I had to see her for myself.
Upon arriving at the SPCA, we were taken to Gracie’s enclosure, and with one look, we knew – she wasn’t Kita. But something unexpected happened. Gracie, who’d been curled up in a corner, slowly made her way around her box and rubbed up against us, purring with pure affection. She flopped onto her back, asking for tummy rubs, her trusting nature melting our hearts instantly. I walked out of that enclosure in tears.
Determined to give Gracie a chance at a loving home, I reached out to the SPCA, explaining that we were members of Harties Feral Cat Rescue and would gladly take her in. Unfortunately, policies prevented them from simply surrendering her to us; we had to go through the adoption process, which could take up to three weeks. The thought of Gracie spending that time alone in her enclosure was unbearable.
The very next day, I drove 45 kilometres back to the SPCA to start the adoption process. The staff reassured me that the home inspection would take place within a few days, followed by her health checks. To our immense relief, everything moved swiftly. Gracie passed all her tests, and within a week, she was ready to come home.
That day, I was in Pretoria, but nothing was going to delay bringing Gracie home. I rushed back and immediately headed to the SPCA to fetch her.
We decided to introduce Gracie to our catio, where two adult mine ferals, Muis and Caramel, already resided. To our amazement, the meeting couldn’t have gone smoother. The three of them acted as if they’d always known each other. My domestic cats had never been this welcoming with a new addition, yet Gracie, Muis, and Caramel bonded instantly. She fit into their little family like a missing puzzle piece.
Gracie has become an irreplaceable part of our lives. She’s affectionate and demanding in the most endearing way, always eager for love, cuddles, and tummy tickles. She greets us at the door, follows us to the lounge for her nightly treats, and keeps Muis and Caramel on their toes, bringing playfulness back into their lives. Unlike her more reserved brothers, Gracie adores meeting new people and welcomes strangers with purrs and head rubs.
I often say that Gracie is a reincarnation of Kita, sent to us for a reason. Perhaps Kita knew our hearts still had an empty space, and Gracie was the one meant to fill it. Whatever the reason, we’re endlessly grateful to have her – a cat who, despite her rough start, was simply waiting for the love she so freely gives to be returned.
