Oudtshoorn’s Cat Lady, Lee-Ann van Sittert has poured her heart out to Die Hoorn about the current state that she and other animal volunteers face each day.
“The situation is getting out of hand, and gets worse every day,” she said.
You might be asking yourself what exactly this situation is?
People give up beloved pets for several reasons, ranging from moving to a place where they may not keep animals, or not being able to afford to care for them.
When an adult cat gets dropped off at The Cat Hotel, whatever the reasons, it is important to send a T-shirt, blanket, or any item with the scent of the environment that the cat lived in. This helps reduce the stress. It’s also a good idea to bring a bag of cat food, as the cat still needs to eat and to ease the burden on the organisation helping you.
“At this moment I have 13 adult cats, a teenager, 9 kittens and another 8 kittens who need rehoming,” she said.
The 8 kittens still need kitten milk, which is not only expensive but vital to their survival.
Then the big task of finding good homes lies ahead and is even more difficult when you have adult cats.
“It also seems like kitten season is not coming to an end, we have a tsunami of cat’s being brought to my work or house daily,”
At the time of Die Hoorn’s visit, 5 kittens from Calitzdorp were at her workplace, waiting patiently to go home when she finishes.
I looked at her and wondered, how do any volunteers have the strength to go through these emotions every day. How do they cope with not knowing if there will be enough food, cat litter, kitten milk or even treatment for parasites for the month ahead. And if they use their private fund, will they have enough food in their own homes to feed their families?
Volunteers Fatigue is a reality that they face every single day.
Volunteers Fatigue is described as a phenomenon that occurs when volunteers become tired, stressed, disengaged, resentful and feel at their wits end. And it is understandable for them to feel this way as they receive very little help from the public, or other institutes.
At the moment, Van Sittert uses about 2 kg of cat food per day. This can be up to 60 kg a month and even more. She has a handful of people who support her, and to cover the deficit she uses her own money to pay for any shortfalls. And not only to buy cat food, but any other items they might need. One litter of kittens uses about 4 tins of milk, at R440 for 300g. There is no other alternative or cheaper options available.
Cats that are sterilized and euthanized when they are sick also needs to be paid for, especially in the feral cat communities where it seems these communities are growing at an alarming rate.
Van Sittert has also asked the municipality for support, but to date has received no help.
A media inquiry pertaining to the above was sent to the communications department, but have not received a response by the time we went to print.
Have we stopped to ask the question, what will happen the day that someone like Van Sittert just decided that she has had enough, that she cannot take the heartache of another cat needing a home, or the worry of feeding them.
What can we as a town and community do the help and support her and any other organisation of your choosing. Even one bag of food can make a difference. Or go to your local vet and buy a tin of cat milk, it can then be kept until there is need for it.
If we don’t pull up our sleeves and help, who knows what will happen to these pets, who at least, while waiting for a new home, will be cared for and loved.
Continuous influx of animals being surrendered that are in urgent need of assistance
Lee-Ann van Sittert, Oudtshoorn’s Cat Lady with two adorable kittens that was brought in on Tuesday. If you can give them a home, feel free to contact her on 083 334 0172.
Photo: Angelique Erasmus