Written by Daleen Kotze-Chibesa - Vice-Chair Harties Feral Cat Rescue
Photography by Vanessa Bentley Photography
It was a cold and rainy afternoon when our dedicated volunteer, Lauren Taylor, made her usual rounds to refill the feeding stations around a local shopping centre. But on this particular day, she found more than just empty bowls – she discovered a tiny ginger kitten, emaciated and shivering from the cold, curled up inside one of the stations.
Without hesitation, Lauren scooped him up and placed him in a warm carrier. Our team quickly sprang into action, ensuring he received immediate care. He was placed with one of our amazing foster moms, Marinda Barnard, who lovingly named him Toasty; a name that perfectly symbolised the warmth and comfort he was about to experience.
With nutritious food, a cosy bed, and plenty of love, Toasty thrived in his foster home. His playful spirit soon shone through, and before long, he was ready to find his forever family. That’s when his future mom saw his post and instantly fell in love.
Now, Toasty is living his best life in a home filled with love and warmth – just as he deserves.
Here’s what Jomarie Folscher, his new mom, shared about her life with Toasty, now lovingly named Naruto...
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a deep love for felines – both domestic cats and their majestic wild counterparts. One of my quirks is naming my cats after anime characters, and I always knew that if I were lucky enough to have a ginger cat, I’d name him Naruto – it just felt right.
In October 2023, my father lost his battle with cancer. He had a deep connection with cats, rescuing many throughout his life, including a tiny ginger kitten he saved from the middle of a highway. That love for cats is something we deeply shared. When Naruto (Toasty) came into my life, he became more than just a pet – he became a reminder of my dad and his bond with the cats he cared for. Having him around brings back fond memories of my father and the love we both had for these incredible animals.
As a kitten foster mom, rescues hold a very special place in my heart, especially those who’ve been failed by humans, as Naruto was. When my partner showed me his adoption photos, I fell in love instantly. Learning that he was a very sick little kitten when rescued from the feeding station, surrounded by big, intimidating cats, only made me love him more.
On adoption day, he had no interest in being picked up – he just wanted to play with his siblings. During the entire hour-long car ride home, he made only one tiny sound. To this day, he’s the most well-behaved cat in a carrier.
Since settling into his forever home, Naruto has been nothing but friendly and affectionate. He adores every single one of his adopted siblings and even welcomed my foster kittens with open paws. While he’s still a bit cautious around strangers, he has the biggest heart when it comes to his feline family. That said, he’s not afraid to show some serious attitude when things don’t go his way. And his tail? It has a life of its own, always flicking, curling, and making his opinions very clear.
He’s grown into a beautiful “Toasted Ginger” and goes by many names... Toasty, Naruto, Chunks, Gingey, Babes. But above all, he’s become a total mommy’s boy. No matter what he’s doing, he always makes sure to check in with me, whether it’s curling up nearby, following me from room to room, or just giving me his signature slow blinks of love.
Naruto has a unique way of waking me up in the early hours by adjusting the settings on the air cooler, knocking things off tables, or pressing his face against mine to inform me of a crisis: he can see the bottom of his food bowl. A truly unacceptable situation, according to him.
During winter, however, there’s no mistaking his priorities. The moment he hears the heater click on, he comes running at full speed, ready to claim the warmest spot in the house.
He’s an incredibly sweet (and sometimes sassy) boy, and we feel so blessed to have him in our family, watching him grow and filling our lives with love.
I’m so grateful for his Foster Mom, Marinda, with whom I still keep in touch and send regular photos and videos to.
Naruto’s story is a beautiful reminder of the power of rescue; the way love, patience and second chances can turn a fragile, abandoned kitten into a cherished family member. Every rescue cat carries a story of resilience, and every adoption is a promise of a better life. Thank you to everyone who makes these happy tails possible. Here’s to many more stories of hope, healing, and unconditional love.
