GEORGE NEWS - One thing that has always united the George community is animal welfare. This was again the case recently when Jerry the ginger cat escaped from his carrier en route to his sterilisation.
Jerry arrived at a smallholding in the Beervlei area the day before Christmas. The owner, Diane Haycock, took pity on him and started to provide the seemingly feral youngster with food whenever he appeared.
After gaining Jerry's trust, she contacted Cat Assistance Team (Cat) Garden Route to facilitate Jerry's sterilisation.
"We always use specialised equipment for the handling of feral or semi-feral cats, but the landowner managed to lure Jerry into a travel carrier. Tragically, the carrier was not secure enough and Jerry managed to escape in Loerie Park when he was taken out of the vehicle," said Cat's Rita Brock.
Jerry's owner was distraught and with the help of the community searched everywhere for eight days and sleepless nights.
A reward of R2 000 was offered by Haycock, posters were put up, flyers were handed out and homeowners, joggers and dog walkers were all made aware of Jerry's disappearance.
"Being a farm cat and totally out of his element in an urban area, it was critical to locate him as soon as possible," said Brock.
Each sighting was investigated and after many days of tracking and tracing, Jerry was spotted at Genevafontein Retirement Village and Brock and her team pounced into action. They managed to trap Jerry and he was taken to Vetcross in George to be sterilised.
"Thanks to Natasha de Ridder and her two daughters, who spotted Jerry and identified a site where he could be captured safely. Also thanks to the Genevafontein management and residents for their willingness to enable us to catch him," said Brock.
According to Haycock, Jerry has become an even bigger cuddle cat after his sterilisation and is slowly settling in after his incredible journey.
"One lesson we can all learn from this amazing rescue, is the fact that a community looking out for each other and their pets can achieve miracles," said Brock.
"Thanks to a caring community that brought Jerry back home. We as cat volunteers stress it all the time: please ensure the safety of any pet carrier used - cats are escape artists. Never take a cat into an unknown area without ensuring it is confined safely."
The De Ridder family declined the reward and it was donated to Cat Garden Route.
Home sweet home and ready to cuddle.
The Cat Garden Route bakkie full of posters that were distributed.
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
