GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - More than one thousand cats were sterilised by local animal welfare group Cat Garden Route in 2022.
Cat uses the trap-neuter-release approach to stabilise feral colonies, and assists owners in the poorer parts of our community. In twelve months they sterilised 1 045 animals – that's about twenty per week.
"Hunger, disease, neglect and cruelty come from far too many kittens and puppies being born," says Cat founder Rita Brock. "Sterilisation is the only way forward for animal welfare."
Four hard-working women form the core Cat team. They go out every day in the Garden Route to collect cats for sterilisation, supplement the food of ones they have neutered, and educate owners about pet care.
"Every day brings challenges," says Brock. "For example, we have feeding stations for our sterilised feral cats, who keep rats and mice in check. But those feeding stations get unwanted guests, like mongoose, snakes and monkeys. We even had bees turning one into a ready-made hive!
"But the biggest challenge is that, since Covid, many of the people we work with have even less than they did before. Families that can't feed themselves are – understandably – not able to prioritise animals. And the hungrier and more desperate people become, the less safe it becomes for us. A lot of our work takes place in early morning or at night, when cats are more active. That means we're often alone in places with no security at all."
The support of other animal organisations has been encouraging. "In 2022, we worked with the SPCA, the PDSA, Knysna Animal Welfare Society, Odin, Caws 4 Paws, Furever Cats and Barnyard Kennels," says Brock. "We're grateful to them and the vets and businesses that support animals in our community. The George Herald's coverage has also been very helpful.
"We want everyone to continue working together, putting sterilisation front and centre, and making our community happier and healthier for animals and people."
You can follow CAT's work at facebook.com/catgardenroute.
Another adventure awaits this sterilised kitty.
A mother and her two kittens that are cared for by Cat Garden Route.
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