Chatsworth ‘angel’ the cat’s meow to strays
A CHATSWORTH woman has made it her mission to sterilise and feed cats in the community.
Farhana Wahab started Kitty Angel Rescue in 2018.
“Since starting Kitty Angel Rescue I have had the privilege of meeting Nikki Moore, of feline welfare organisation Cats of Durban and I haven’t looked back. I was able to host three mobile clinics in August 2018 where we sterilised 99 cats. My most recent mobile clinic, held two weeks ago, was fully sponsored and we sterilised 35 cats,” she said.
Kitty Angel works with strays that have been abandoned or injured. They re-home, sterilise and feed the little felines throughout Chatsworth.
“There are strays everywhere, even at businesses, and they are at risk of being killed or injured so we need to remove them. Unfortunately, we cannot take adult cats, only kittens,” said Wahab.
She said with “kitty season” coming up, there would be a surge in newborn kittens.
“I urge people not to remove newborn kittens from their mothers as they cannot survive without them. People tend to remove newborns and dump them in boxes. It’s really heartbreaking,” she said.
Wahab had been paying for vets’ bills and food out of her own pocket.
“I don’t have a sanctuary or shelter to take in cats or kittens. I rely on social media posts to look for homes. I’m on many rescue and foster groups which do assist where they can. Shelters and fosters are full and the only humane solution is to sterilise the cats and kittens. By sterilising one cat you are saving 100 more that might have been born to a life of abuse and neglect,” she said.
Although Kitty Angel Rescue cannot pay for every cat to be sterilised, they do offer welfare rates for those who cannot afford to sterilise their cat at a vet.
Each mobile clinic costs
R10 000 per day to run and can be taken anywhere. It allows for the sterilisation of about 30 cats in a day.
“Anyone can sponsor a clinic. We desperately need sponsors so we can have more mobile clinics. Sponsoring a clinic is tax deductible through Cats of Durban,” she said.
Although she focuses on Chatsworth because she has a full-time job, Wahab said she had received requests for help from Verulam, Phoenix and other areas.
“There is no gain in animal rescue, it’s a selfless act. Nothing is more rewarding than saving the life of an innocent animal. We need to educate people and change mindsets as a lot of people don’t like cats.”
Anyone who would like to help can do so by sponsoring a mobile clinic or food. For more information and for welfare rates on sterilisation, contact Wahab at farhana.wahab1243@gmail.com Alternatively, email Cats of Durban at catsofdurban@gmail.com