April, 2012

We have decided to take the 'Feral' out of our name. The reason for this is that as we have evolved, our work with feral cats is just one aspect of what we do. It does however continue to be our key focus.

ADOPTIONS

We've had some disappointments this month, one of which involved the little ginger and white teenaged male cat who was offered a home. Since his socialization had just begun when the Kingsview Estate people caring for him had to go away for an extended period, leaving him and his mother behind, with a neighbor putting out food for them, we thought it best to set a trap for him. Unfortunately, after trying for two days, he had not yet gone in and the family changed their mind. He's so close to becoming a people cat but just needs time to learn about humans and the way they live - now his opportunity has been lost, which is very sad.

None of our other fosters has been adopted this month, apart from the two very sweet but timid SPCA kittens Kerry Ferrucci was fostering for us. Kerry has decided to adopt these loveable teenagers herself since they are already settled with her and her family and they all love the cats so much. And besides, there were no other offers. Thank you, Kerry - I know they will always have a loving home with you.
Yolande Wals did a wonderful job of fostering our four SPCA infant orphans in Port Elizabeth. Two of the babies she cared for were soon adopted, leaving her with the other two. One of these suddenly went down with a really bad case of snuffles and had to be hospitalized. One of her eyes became so badly infected that special drops had to be made up and at one stage it was feared the eye had ruptured and would have to be removed. The kitten was desperately unhappy in hospital which was having a detrimental effect on her poor condition and Yolande took her home to nurse there. We were so thrilled when after a few days the eye infection began to clear and it was discovered that the eye was going to be alright and she now has two beautiful shining eyes again. After all of this, Yolande decided to adopt the remaining two kittens herself. Yolande, thank you so much for all your hard work, dedication and love for these babies, and for now giving them the greatest gift of all: a loving, caring home with you and your family.

The rabbit I was caring for was adopted by a friend of mine, Maristie Pretorius. He was neutered and is living with an older rabbit 'aunt' in a pleasant aviary on a farm close to town where he is settling in well. Thank you for making room for him in your life, Maristie - much appreciated.

Our other sick foster cats are at last over their ailments too and we really hope that May will see them adopted by extra-nice people. Thank you to the foster mom who saw them through this difficult period - I know it wasn't easy for you. We have networked these kittens extensively on Facebook but there are literally thousands of kittens looking for homes across the country and our teenagers are just a few of many. Local homes are needed urgently.

Just to remind you:

Catmattix

Caren (telephone 072 726 9434) is still fostering the gorgeous Catmattix and the enchanting Chelsea, also around 6 months old now. Chelsea

The only fee charged will be for their sterilization. Please phone the foster moms if you would like to meet one or more of these kittens. Adoptions are subject to final approval by me or Lynne.

TRAPPING

Nikki Kohly trapped these two youngsters on campus, one of which was already sterilized but because it kept going in and getting trapped, when the target kitten was at last trapped with it, she decided to keep them together for the company. Both were released the following day and are part of a small colony she kindly feeds on campus.

STERILIZATIONS

Four spays and three neuters.

DONATIONS

With much gratitude to the generous people who support our work:

Viv Botha
Nikky Kohly
S. Bingham
Lee-Anne Venter
Tori Immelman
Cecilia Blight
Marie McGregor
Sheryl-Anne Drennan
Wouter Holleman
Rosalie Breitenbach
and to Colleen Duffy who has been giving us regular donations of good quality food.

Many thanks, all!

We regularly feed quite a number of stray and feral cats around town but can't hope to feed them all, unfortunately. Once feral and stray cats and kittens have been sterilized, it helps to stabilize colonies and individuals by giving them daily food and fresh water. If you are able to do so for a cat or cats living in or near your home or place of work, you will be making the world a kinder place for that animal, and indeed for us all.

GENERAL

Please check your cats and dogs regularly for ticks, especially after they have been away from home for walks in long grass. I have been finding many ticks on my animals for at least the past month. Watch out for symptoms of biliary, a tick-borne disease. Animals may become lethargic, have little or no appetite, mucous membranes become pale and they usually have a temperature and if you hold your hand over your resting animal's heart, you may feel his or her heart beating more rapidly than usual. The animal must receive veterinary treatment and medication and while being nursed should be kept quiet with minimal exercise.

Thank you for your interest and support.

Lorna Grant
for the Grahamstown Feral Cat Project

Previous Newsletters

All donations go to sterilization and a small portion to food.
Occasionally there are costs for veterinary care of ferals who are ill or injured.

We appreciate your generosity greatly as it enables us to continue helping the feral cats.
Spays cost us R371 and neuters R245, plus extra for any complications
such as pregnancy or undescended testes.

If you would like to donate any amount, please deposit into our vet account at:

The Grahamstown Veterinary Clinic,
Standard Bank Account No 081991215
Branch Code 050917

Please add the reference "W/CAT" and your name, and please notify us if possible
so that we can follow up donations in case of accidental misallocation.

Please do not take any feral/stray cat into the vet for attention and charge it to our Wildcat account without prior approval from Lorna or Lynne. The Wildcat account with the vet is meant for sterilization of ferals but may under certain exceptional circumstances allow for other procedures. Fundraising is hard work, so we must be careful with what comes our way!

Page updated on May 4, 2012