In the heart of Nelson Mandela Bay, a dedicated non-profit organisation is touching the lives of feral cats.
Cat Care, a registered non-profit organisation, is committed to controlling and stabilising the feral cat population in Gqeberha and surrounding areas.
Their mission is to identify feral colonies, sterilise the cats, and promote their health and welfare through feeding programmes.
Logan Hancocks, a passionate volunteer, shared insights into the organisation’s work and his personal journey with Cat Care.
“Our mission is to control and stabilise the feral cat population in Geberha and surrounding areas. Cat Care also treats sick feral cats wherever necessary and possible,” explained Hancocks.
The organisation employs the ‘Tip, Neuter/Spay, Return’ method, which involves trapping adult feral cats, transporting them to selected veterinary surgeons for sterilisation, and then returning them to their colonies after recovery. This method is crucial in preventing overpopulation and the associated problems such as genetic deformities, starvation, disease, and fighting.
“Experience has shown that feral cat colonies are highly effective in the control of vermin like rats, mice, cockroaches, and even snakes.
“However, if they are allowed to breed uncontrolled, a situation soon arises where there is insufficient food to sustain the colony, in-breeding occurs and along with it all the resultant problems, for example, genetic deformities, starvation, disease, fighting, etc. Feeding programmes are put into place by the fieldworkers involved with Cat Care, as well as community volunteers. Cat Care currently feeds around 600 feral cats and sterilises between 30 and 40 per month. Local factories, holiday resorts, nature reserves, secular offices, as well as residential areas, have all benefited from Cat Care’s work,” Hancocks added.
Cat Care also focuses on finding foster homes for kittens born to feral mothers. These kittens are tamed, loved, and house-trained by foster moms before being adopted into permanent homes.
The organisation often steps in to bottle-feed orphaned kittens, ensuring they receive the care they need until they are ready to be homed.
“Cat Care relies solely on funds from street collections, stalls and tea rooms at the cat shows, collection tins held at certain shops and public donations. We receive no government assistance. We receive discounted rates from selected supportive private veterinarians. We do not occupy any office premises and rely on volunteers/members’ support,” Hancocks noted.
Her journey with Cat Care began with a personal mission to help feral cats near her workplace.
“I grew up in a household where rescue was a way of living. I have been fostering cats for about seven years now. I grew up in Tshwane and moved to the Eastern Cape about two years ago. I noticed feral cats close to my work and immediately got to work, so I reached out to Cat Care for assistance. I managed to sterilise a colony of over 30 cats with their help, advice and love,” she shared.
Hancocks has been fostering for Cat Care for about a year and a half and is actively involved in fieldwork. The organisation’s efforts extend to Kariega and Despatch, where they sterilise feral colonies, help feed them and rehabilitate feral kittens through a responsible foster programme.
To support their mission, Cat Care has launched the 2025 Cat Care calendar, featuring beautiful faces of cats that won their yearly photo competition. The funds raised from calendar sales will be used to help sterilise feral cats in Gqeberha, Despatch, and Kariega.
“The 2025 Cat Care calendar can be purchased at various locations, including Jimmy’s Bookshop (Sherwood Garden Centre), Lorraine Vet (Circular Drive), Newton Park Animal Hospital (Hurd Street), and Perfect Pet Feed & Seed (40 Main Street, Central, Despatch).”
For direct purchases, contact Helen (Greenacres) on 072 107 4477, Jenny (Ben Kamma) on 072 434 1307, Emma (Summerstrand) on 074 188 2810, or Logan (Despatch) on 082 348 8432.
The organisation also offers Pudo locker-to-locker service for an additional R60 and Pep Paxi, depending on fees.
Looking ahead, Cat Care has several fund-raising events planned, including the Christmas feral box collections in November/December and a mini fete at Lorraine Vet in February.
The community’s response to the calendar fund-raiser has been positive, with sales going well and plans to order another 100 calendars in the near future.
In closing, Hancocks emphasised the importance of community support for Cat Care’s efforts.
“We can’t do any of the good work without the support of the community. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.”
unity. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.”
