National Feral Cat Day, observed annually on 16 October was launched in 2001 by Alley Cat Allies in the United States. The day aims to raise awareness about stray and feral cats and the need to trap and sterilise them in order to reduce the number of abandoned and unwanted kittens. The campaign also recognises the millions of people and organisations worldwide that care, manage and feed feral, stray and abandoned cats.
Local NPO ‘Cats of Durban’ ticks all these boxes, as their objective is to raise funds to pay for the sterilisation of KwaZulu-Natal’s ever-expanding feral cat population. They also promote the benefits of a well-managed feral cat colony which plays a big part in vermin and rodent control.
To support the amazing work which ‘Cats of Durban’ do, Compass Cares, the CSI arm of Compass Medical Waste Services, produce and sell a stunning, A3 wall calendar featuring gorgeous feral or previously stray cats. The 2018 kitten edition calendar is currently available for R150 each (excluding postage) and all money raised goes towards ‘Cats of Durban’s’ sterilisation costs which equates to approximately R500 per cat.
The Compass Cares ‘Cats of Durban’ calendar ambassadors and their children recently got together to promote National Feral Cat Day and the professional designed, printed and gift boxed calendar, which makes the perfect end of year or Christmas present.
Ambassador, Alice Leah, is the Head Honcho at The A-List, an events and publicity business. Alice is happiest when she is helping a good cause – The Sunflower Fund, KZN Blind and Deaf Society, The Robinhood Foundation and, of course, Cats of Durban.
Her 14 year old son, Ethan, has a heart of gold and is passionate about Bamboo, his pet python, and anything to do with computers, gadgets and technology. He recently handled the sound for the Curro Hillcrest grade 8 plays and that is his happy place – overseeing anything to do with technology.
Liesl Coppin is a Durban actress, singer, voice over artist, long distance runner and ‘Cats of Durban’ calendar ambassador. She has performed in many stage productions around SA over the past 20 years and most recently in KickstArts “Chicago” and The Playhouse Company’s production of “The Sound of Music”.
Liesl’s two younger children, Joshua and Leah Laurenz, appeared in the photo shoot with her. Josh is 13, attends Livingston Primary School and is a cancer survivor. He has spent a lot of his life in and out of hospitals and operating theatres, having received two life saving kidney transplants. The first one came from his mom, Liesl, when he was only two years old and his second, and much needed transplant, in 2015 after being on the transplant list and on dialysis for over a year in Johannesburg. He loves soccer and music. His family call him the cat whisperer because he has such a unique and special bond with cats.
Leah is only nine years old but has already graced the Opera stage at The Playhouse when she made her theatrical debut as Gretl in “The Sound of Music”. Leah loves to dance and, after doing rhythmic gymnastics for two years, started modern dancing and ballet. She takes piano lessons with well known musician, Dawn Selby. Leah has a passion for singing and writing her own songs. She adores cats, especially kittens.
Fashion designer and ‘Cats of Durban’ calendar ambassador, Kathrin Kidger, is fiercely patriotic and her entire ‘made in South Africa’ range of upmarket ladies’ wear reflects her Southern African heritage. She supports a number of fundraising initiatives with the Compass Cares ‘Cats of Durban’ calendar being the latest project to lend her name to.
Her four year old daughter, Reine (aka Rainbow), is a lover of life. She always has a smile, a giggle or a hug to share. Kathrin’s son, seven year old, Cruz, is a big fan of every and any sport and wants to be an architect when he is grows up. He is kind and has a heart for people and animals alike.
To purchase your Compass Cares ‘Cats of Durban’ 2018 kitten edition wall calendar for only R150, please contact Dianne on 031 267 9700 or email calendars@compass.za.net. To view the calendar visit www.compasswasteservices.co.za/calendars.
The calendar is also available from the following outlets:
- Blair Atholl Vet, Westville North
- Cats of Durban NPO, Glenwood
- Cherish Spa, Westville
- Compass Medical Waste Services, Westville
- Cotswolds Caltex, Hillcrest
- Durban North Vet, Durban North
- Everton Vet, Kloof
- Harrismith Animal Shelter, Harrismith
- I Heart Market, Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban – first Saturday of the month
- Manors Vet, Pinetown
- Mazarat Animal Rescue, Waterfall
- Montclair Animal Hospital, Montclair
- Muddy Dog, Kloof
- Oyster Box, Umhlanga
- Patchwork Elephant, Midlands
- Petland SA, Durban North and Umhlanga
- Seadoone Veterinary Clinic, Amanzimtoti
- Scribbles, Kloof
- Village Vet, Kloof
- Westville Vet, Westville
- Westville Spar, Westville
- Winston Park Vet, Gillitts