Written by Daleen Kotze-Chibesa (Vice-Chair Harties Feral Cat Rescue)
Professional photography by FidoPhoto – Dog Photography
In March 2024, two tiny ginger kittens, barely three weeks old, were discovered in a garden inside a residential estate. Their rescuer, a concerned resident, had no idea where they came from or what had happened to their mother.
Knowing that such young kittens stand little chance of survival on their own, he reached out for help – and that’s where Joanne Kontaxopoulos-Rabe from Harties Feral Cat Rescue stepped in.
What many people don’t realise is that caring for kittens this young is no small task. At just three weeks old, Leo and his brother still needed round-the-clock bottle feeding, a commitment that requires dedication, patience, and a whole lot of love. Separating kittens from their mother too soon can have serious consequences, which is why we always encourage people to wait and observe before intervening. But with no mother cat in sight and the kittens in immediate need, Joanne knew action had to be taken.
Finding a foster mom
Once the kittens were safe with Joanne, the next challenge was finding someone experienced enough to take on the demanding role of bottle-feeding them every few hours.
That’s when Lee Jacobs, one of our amazing foster moms, stepped up. With a plan quickly set in motion, Lee prepared to make the journey from Pretoria to fetch her new charges.
Time was of the essence. Joanne had only a short window after work to collect the kittens, prepare their bottles, and meet Lee at the designated handover point. Before embarking on their long drive home, they made sure the kittens had a full tummy, each one eagerly gulping down an entire bottle of milk before settling in for the trip.
A happily-ever-after for two little fighters
Fast forward to today, and the transformation of these two little ginger boys is nothing short of heart-warming. From fragile bottle babies to healthy, playful young cats, they’ve come a long way thanks to the dedication of their foster mom and the teamwork that made their rescue possible.
Here’s an update on Leo, the handsome ginger boy who started his journey as a tiny, scrawny kitten in desperate need of care. Now, he’s a picture of health – a far cry from the hungry little baby Joanne first held in her hands that Monday afternoon.
Melinde Jacobs, Leo’s adopter, shares…
When we adopted Leo, we had no idea just how much personality could fit into one little ginger body! He doesn’t really meow; instead, he makes the funniest little noises, almost like he’s trying to talk to us.
From the start, he thought he was a dog, always chasing after his dog sister, Nova. But once he discovered he could jump, he started using that to his advantage to escape whenever she got too rough! Even so, they’re inseparable. If they’ve been apart during the day, their evening reunions are full of chaos, jumping on each other, and playful attacks.
Leo also has the sweetest side. His favourite place to nap is on his dad, Juandre’s, chest, where he can snuggle in close. But his most ridiculous habit? Destroying toilet paper! We buy an 18-pack every month, and somehow, he manages to ruin at least nine rolls! Though we didn’t adopt his brother, Leo has brought so much love, laughter, and mischief into our home, and we can’t imagine life without him!
It takes a village to save lives, and stories like Leo’s remind us why fostering is so crucial. To everyone who steps up, whether through fostering, donating, or simply spreading awareness, you’re making a difference.
