Photo credit: Bright Photography
Photographs supplied by The Feral Carer
The Feral Carer NPC is dedicated to the care and management of a community of 20 community cat colonies in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng. What began as a simple feeding initiative for cats at a single colony at The Vaal University of Technology site almost a decade ago in 2015, has expanded to 20 colonies to date.
Working with community cats
As a community cat carer, I’m responsible for the care of almost 400 abandoned cats, comprising both feral and stray cats at multiple colonies. From Monday to Sunday, I visit the colonies, providing food, water, and reassurance of my presence in the lives of these precious cats who have no one else to protect, care for, and love them.
This is a monumental role to fulfil, particularly from an emotional perspective, as I must leave my precious rescue cats with the hope of meeting them the next day at their respective colony sections.
From a veterinary standpoint, I’ve been actively involved in Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) since 2015, with the aim of managing the community cat population. However, due to abandonment and neglect being the norm, it’s almost impossible to reach a level where stability can be achieved, and the process seems to repeat itself.
Providing sanctuary
My commitment is twofold, as I’ve also provided a sanctuary for cats removed from colonies over the years, who’ve now become beloved resident cats. The most challenging aspect is dealing with an array of health issues that require ongoing medical care for conditions that necessitate treatment. I often feel as though our personal space has become a rehabilitation centre and facility for some of our cats who are with us.
We have a senior cat named Tanvi, removed from a colony last December, who’s completely blind; Mish-Mish, who’s also one of our longest-running cats, who is deaf; Kenji, our three-legged boy, who required an amputation as a kitten and is now five years old; Chester, our kidney disease patient; and many cats with ongoing dental issues requiring ongoing medical treatment. These are just a few examples of the many cats who require ongoing support.
You can help!
The biggest challenges are the cost of food and veterinary care – the most difficult aspect of the organisation. There are two divisions that require support: colonies and resident cats. I utilise approximately 480-500kg of dry food for 20 colonies on a monthly basis, including 116 tins, garnished with love. The resident cats’ needs are more extensive, as many are on prescription food from Hill’s and Royal Canin.
I have some wonderful donors who are committed to assisting me on a monthly basis, but I’m desperately seeking larger sponsors, as mounting veterinary bills, which have culminated in debts and monthly organisational costs of up to R38,000, are a significant expense to manage without more community support.
I’m in the process of becoming tax 18A compliant, but this is also time-consuming. I urge anyone reading this article to kindly assist with ongoing support to help me continue being a pillar of strength to the cats who depend on me.
Our wish list:
Colonies:
- Monty and Me (cat and kitten)
- Complete (kitten)
- Ideal
- Heritage View
- Tinned food (Puddi-Kat, Top Cat, Pampers, Complete or any other soft food items)
- Vitamins (Felivit)
Resident cats:
- Ultra Cat (adult and kitten)
- Feline Cuisine (adult and kitten)
- Hill’s sterilised
- Royal Canin ageing 12+ (wet and dry)
- Royal Canin (Mother and Babycat mousse)
- Pampers pouches (senior and kitten)
- Hill’s Urinary c/d stress (dry and wet)
- Royal Canin Renal (dry and wet)
- Colostrum
- Vitamins (Felivit)
Kind donations can be made into:
The Feral Carer NPC
First National Bank
Account number: 62915444327
Branch code: 250655
Reference: Name and surname
For more information, call 082 285 6269, email farzanasa@hotmail.com or follow on Facebook.
