JEFFREYS BAY – After waiting over a year for their forever homes, two special cats at JBay Animal Rescue Sanctuary have finally found their happy ending thanks to the compassionate heart of a local Wavecrest resident who opened his home to older cats in need.
JBay Animal Rescue Sanctuary, located in Ocean View Township in Jeffreys Bay, celebrated the recent adoption of two older cats who had been waiting patiently for their forever homes.
The Sanctuary, which sterilises at least 80 animals every month in the Kouga region, also offers shelter to animals eagerly awaiting adoption.
Cindy Muller, sanctuary manager, said that they could not be happier for the two older cats who were recently adopted.
The Sanctuary currently houses 14 cats and 18 kittens, with older cats often facing longer waits for adoption.
“The cats are all so special and have the most amazing personalities. It’s not often so many cats can get along in such a small environment, but they make it work,” said Muller.
Further elaborating on the longer wait for adoption for older cats, she said that they are often less likely to be adopted as they require a bit more patience and time to settle in.
The two cats had significantly different stories but shared the same outcome.
The journey to the adoption of the oldest cat, who has been affectionately named Josephine, was particularly touching.
Muller said that she was discovered in the Jeffreys Bay township area, where they saw that she was pregnant.
She said that when they asked Josephine’s previous owners if they could sterilise her, they indicated that they no longer wanted her.
“We brought her back to our kennels and kept her. She had her kittens, who all ended up getting homes. She was sterilised and waited patiently for over a year for her chance to get a home, which finally came, and we could not be happier,” said Muller.
Tiger, on the other hand, was brought to the Sanctuary as a very small kitten.
Muller said that after six months, Tiger found her forever home.
Giving insight into life at the Sanctuary, she said that they spend so much time with the animals that they become like family.
She said that it is difficult for the staff to leave behind all the animals when they go home in the evenings.
“It breaks our hearts to leave the animals in the evenings. We wish that all the animals had a home of their own to cuddle on a bed or snuggle up in a blanket with their families at night,” said Muller.
She further said that the Sanctuary continues to need support, particularly cat litter, as they go through an incredible amount each day.
Muller said that they would also appreciate donations for the Sanctuary’s charity shop located at 22 Jeffrey Street, Jeffreys Bay.
They also have many puppies and dogs looking for homes.
The Wavecrest resident who adopted the two cats, referred to solely as Michael, said that he had previously experienced the joy of cat ownership before losing his two companions last year.
He said that he had previously adopted a cat from the SPCA in Humansdorp, which was his first cat adoption.
Michael said that he had always preferred dogs to cats and did not know what to expect when bringing home his first cat 10 years ago.
Fortunately, he was immediately hooked on the cat, which he described as a “beautiful ball of fun”.
Shortly after Michael’s first adoption, he discovered his second cat, a feral black cat under the Billabong factory building in Jeffreys Bay.
He said that he decided to take him home to meet his other cat.
“The two cats really bonded, and for the next 10 years we enjoyed a wonderful life together,” said Michael.
Sadly, the two cats died last year, and after three lonely months, he decided to adopt another cat.
The connection to JBay Animal Rescue Sanctuary came through a chance encounter.
Michael said that he bumped into Jessie Naude from the Sanctuary, and she mentioned that there were a lot of cats ready for adoption at the Sanctuary.
When visiting the sanctuary, the choice seemed natural.
“I decided to visit the wonderful people at this amazing organisation, and I was shown the kennels where the cats were housed. There were so many cute cats to pick from, but there were two who were immediately attracted to me, and I chose these two to share my life with me,” said Michael.
He said that he did not want kittens and instead decided to adopt older cats.
“The three of us immediately bonded and are having so much fun. I am so happy that I adopted two cats instead of one,” said Michael.
He further praised the sanctuary’s efforts.
“The kind people who work at these organisations must be commended for their incredible hard work, and I implore all animal lovers to support these organisations,” said Michael.
For more information, or to visit the clinic, contact Cindy Muller at 083 320 4173, email jbayanimals@gmail.com, or visit JBay Animal Rescue Sanctuary at www.Jbayanimalsanctuary.co.za.
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