GEORGE NEWS - The George Good Citizen of May is a woman who believes that every contribution to society, no matter how small, will end up making a huge difference. Having said that, Coriza Vermeulen's contribution to the welfare of cats in George and the Garden Route is immense - a difficult and never-ending task.
Vermeulen wrote the following about her volunteer work and her passion to spread the word about the importance of sterilisation.
"Being a volunteer is something everybody can do. All you have to do is find your passion in life and do something about it. It is rewarding and fulfilling to know that you have done something to make your own world a better place.
"My message is to tell every person that you can do something small and it makes a big difference in the lives of others. If you have anybody working for you, your work colleagues, your domestic workers, ask them if their pets are sterilised and healthy. There are welfare organisations that will be happy to assist you with welfare rates for sterilisation of pets.
"I am a volunteer at Cat Garden Route and our mission is to reduce the population of unwanted cats, feral cats and street cats. We, as humans, cannot euthanise our way out of the overpopulation of animals. The only humane solution is to sterilise your cats.
"We visit the underprivileged townships and informal settlements to find unsterilised cats and we have them spayed and neutered at our supporting veterinary practices, Vetcare, Vital Vet, SPCA and PDSA. We still have to fundraise to pay the welfare rates for these sterilisations.
"The biggest problem we face is stray cats that have been abandoned and dumped by humans. When people have to move house, they think it's OK to just leave the cats behind. Domestic cats cannot survive on the streets alone and they will always turn up at someone's door looking for food and a place to sleep.
If the abandoned cats are not sterilised they will begin to breed from as young as five months old. Cats are only pregnant for 67 days and have an average of four kittens per litter.
"If you would like to help us help the cats in need, you can donate to Cat Trust, First National Bank Account 62615670800, Code 210114.
You can also contact us to offer your services. We are desperate for volunteers to help trap and transport cats and return them to their respective homes and colonies after their sterilisation."
Nominate and vote
Do you know someone who unselfishly gives to our city without compensation or expectation? If so, this person can be the next George Good Citizen of the Month.
George Herald has taken hands with We Are George and other major role players to promote and support the George Good Citizen Award initiative. The initiative was started in October last year to recognise deserving citizens who walk the extra mile to make George a better place.
A prize of R1 000 cash is awarded each month to the citizen who is voted George Good Citizen of the Month by the public on Facebook.
Go to the George Herald Facebook page and click through to the Facebook pages of We Are George or George Good Citizen Awards to vote for or nominate your most inspiring Georgians.
Read previous articles:
- Eco warrior greens Garden Route one tree at a time
- Louis Keyter - A man of action
- Kudos for George 'catwoman'
- January's Good Citizen spreads joy
- Join the search for George Citizen of the month
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