In memory of a very special woman that passed away following a battle with colon cancer and who had a huge love for cats, a special Catio Project was started at the Bloemfontein SPCA.
Marnelle van Rooyen, a psychologist and artist suffered for more than a decade with colon cancer and passed away on 15 July last year.
Her friends and the local SPCA raised R60 000 to build a large catio at the local animal shelter.
Zaandré Campher, chairperson of the Bloemfontein SPCA, says this catio will be a place for cats and kittens to spend time with visitors in a homelike environment. “This is the ideal setting for cats to help them socialise and make their chances for adoption much better.”
Dr. Angie Vorster, local psychologist and friend to Marnelle, says the project that will be opened on Marnelle’s birthday on 6 March, which also coincides with Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
Throughout her life, Marnelle meant so much to so many humans, but even more so to hundreds (perhaps thousands) of feral and rescue kittens and cats.
“She loved all animals, but cats were her constant companions throughout numerous rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries and finally, her death bed.”
The idea of the catio stems from Marnelle, who grew up and lived in Bloemfontein for most of her life before moving to George when she got very ill.
“She dreamt of starting an non-governmental organisation where she could house feral and rescue cats and assist in having them adopted,” Vorster explains.
“Sadly, she became ill too soon for this to come true. When I had the privilege of greeting her for the last time, I promised to create a space to commemorate her in a way that would be truest to her spirit.”
Vorster said when she went to the local SPCA, everything just fell into place. “They have been dreaming of creating a large play area for the cats for a long time.”
Animal lovers took hands and a carport next to the cat shelter at the SPCA was turned into the catio.
Campher says lots of cats in Bloemfontein land at the doorstep of the SPCA and in January alone they took in around 295 cats.
Vorster said with the Marnelle’s Catio Memorial Project, help and donations of furniture, cat toys and beds were received from all over the country. “There will be no grand opening, we want this project to serve the community, our animals. We want to create an ongoing source of fund raising and support the excellent work our SPCA does. We encourage visitors to post pictures of themselves visiting the catio. We want scholars, students, the elderly, wel everyone to feel welcome and spend time playing with the casts, or read a book, crocheting or listening to music while spending time with the felines. We want this to be like a special home in honour of our good friend, Marnelle.”
Also read: Paw patrol: Larry the cat marks 15 years of ‘service’ at 10 Downing Street.
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