Non-profit organisation, Cats of Durban, was established eighteen months ago with the aim of sterilising feral cats, as well as providing advice and care to businesses and organisation that have access to stray and feral colonies.
According to founder, Niki Moore, these cat colonies are frequently perceived as unhygienic and a nuisance when in fact they are doing so much good.
“There are many wild cats, stray cats and feral cats throughout Durban who do a sterling job of keeping the city clear of rats and other vermin, including cockroaches, and their presence repels snakes,’’ explains Niki.
“They also create quite a tourist attraction in many places in our city. There are some hotels and businesses where the patrons return to visit the cats,’’ she continues.
Through their voluntary association, Under an African Sky, Compass Medical Waste Services is getting behind the organisation from a financial point of view, as well as being available to provide skills and business advice.
“We understand that there are over 15 000 cats which need to be sterilised in KwaZulu-Natal, over the next five years, in order to make an impact to the ever growing population,’’ says Ian Du Randt, MD of Compass Medical Waste Services.
“Having partnered with CROW for the past six years we have learnt that NGOs are not only in desperate need of funds, in order to successfully run their operations, but they also need assistance with registration, establishing Section 18A status, accounting, managing staff, marketing and creating business plans,’’ explains Ian. “The staff and I at Compass have made ourselves available to Niki to assist whenever and however possible.’’
The medium term goal for Cats of Durban is to approach businesses, shopping centres, hospitals and clinics to pay a management fee to the organisation to sterilise, feed and care for the feral cat colonies. This will require a full time staff member, a vehicle and trappers, over and above funding the sterilisation, food and medication.
Finances are needed to establish this and Compass has kick-started this process by donating R10 000.
“All funds received by the public are earmarked for feral cat sterilisation and no donation is used to cover administration costs,’’ stresses Niki. “Compass has generously donated R10 000 specifically to go towards establishing the structures needed to start our consulting business.”
According to Ian this is just the start of the support. He, along with the Under an African Sky volunteer committee, will design, print and sell an A3 wall calendar for 2017 and each page will feature cats.
A sponsorship fee of R6 000 will be obtained per calendar page which will be donated directly to Cats of Durban. A limited edition of 1 000 calendars will be available to buy during the launch year and the product is expected to go on sale as early as September.
While the calendar is being created, the Under an African Sky committee urge the public to support Cats of Durban by purchasing their existing branded merchandise which sells for between R30 and R180. These items include notepads, baby clothes, brooches, shoppers, activity bags, t-shirts and earrings.
Visit http://catsofdurban.wix.com/catsofdurban to view the products which are also available at the ‘I Heart’ Market which takes place on the last Saturday of the month and the Shongweni Market which occurs every Saturday morning.
“By buying these products not only are you raising much needed funds for Cats of Durban but the use of the products double up as great brand exposure for the organisation. They also make cute gifts and great souvenirs of Durban. Your support would be greatly appreciated,’’ concludes Niki.