Written by Harties Feral Cat Rescue Treasurer: Daleen Kotze-Chibesa
Photography by Elsa van Ginkel
When we stabilise a feral colony, it’s inevitable that there’ll be kittens to deal with. This was no exception when we embarked on a mission to stabilise the TSS colony through a trap, neuter and return (TNR) operation. The endeavour led to the discovery of two tiny kittens, setting off a chain of events that would ultimately result in a heart-warming tale of rescue, love, and a forever home.
After successfully completing the TNR operation, we identified two kittens that could be homed. The first one was easily caught and found a temporary home with volunteer Michelle Gillham. Little did we know, the second kitten would prove to be a challenge, setting the stage for a week-long search filled with determination and suspense.
With each passing day, the urgency to find the elusive second kitten grew. Fearing that time would diminish her chances of finding a forever home, I became desperate to find her. Finally, a breakthrough occurred when a security guard reported a sighting early one morning. The race was on to reach the location and secure the kitten before she could slip away again.
Driving against time and traffic, I arrived at the site, relieved to find the kitten still in sight. With cautious optimism, I approached and, to my surprise, she allowed herself to be picked up and placed in a carrier. The rescue mission was a success, and the kitten, now named Zoey, was on her way to foster mom Michelle Gillham, and a new chapter in her life started.
Zoey, the once-elusive feral kitten, turned out to be a special soul. Her charm and affection quickly endeared her to her foster parents. The foster home, intended to be temporary, soon became a permanent one as Zoey found her forever home with the Gillhams. She also managed to capture the heart of her foster dad, Garth, and the two became inseparable.
New mom Michelle shares…
Zoey came to us as a foster kitten. We found her sister a week or so earlier and she was with me already. Her sister was a gorgeous Siamese-looking cat, so she found a forever home very quickly.
After her sister left for her forever home, Zoey needed a new friend. Our other cats were older and in no mood to cuddle and play with her. So, she decided she would win Garth over. She decided since Garth, who’s a wheelchair user, is always sitting, that means that there’s always a lap for her to sit on. They formed a bond so quickly. She made him pick her up to ride around the house on his lap. She quickly went from foster to family.
We noticed that something was wrong with her legs as she couldn’t really jump. She was diagnosed with luxating patellas, which means the ligaments in her knees don’t stay in the grooves they’re meant to stay in. She had surgery to fix it and, after the surgery, she grew more dependent on her dad for lifts around the house to get to where she wanted to go.
They’ve been absolutely inseparable ever since. She lies on his chest most nights and kisses him softly on the mouth. And these are kisses, not licks like you’d think a cat would “kiss”. She nibbles his nose softly. If she hears him get into his wheelchair, she jumps onto his lap for cuddles and a lift to the food bowl in the morning.
I’ve never seen a bond like this between a cat and her person. When she looks at him, you can almost see the cartoon hearts in her eyes. And he’s fallen just as hard for her.
They’re bonded for life!
