A dedicated cat maternity unit

VISION

TEARS is a pro-life animal rescue society, whose core aim is to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home abandoned, abused and neglected dogs and cats. They exist to: lessen the suffering of abandoned, injured and abused dogs and cats by rescuing them, providing for their wellbeing and placing them into loving homes; reduce the numbers of unwanted animals by providing free sterilisations in disadvantaged communities; and provide humane education to the public to create an awareness of the moral and ethical treatment of the animals whose world we as humans share.

OVERVIEW

Every year, as spring approaches, animal shelters are overrun with pregnant cats and cats with kittens – “kitten season”. It is a difficult time for animal rescue organisations, and those such as TEARS, who are pro-life, are particularly hard-pressed to find sufficient, suitable accommodation for the influx of cats and kittens. The existing facility at TEARS is not equipped to deal with these special needs cats, which means increased stress levels and a consequent increase in disease.

This project will set up a dedicated cat maternity unit, creating a stress- and disease-free environment for the abandoned animals. The mother and kitten unit will have five individual pens and facilities for sterilising the mother cats once homes have been found for their kittens.

WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT THIS PROJECT

• As a pro-life animal shelter, TEARS makes a huge effort to find homes for every one of the kittens and cats.
• Their excellent sterilisation policy and procedures will help to reduce the problem of feral cats and unwanted animals.
• The project has been thoroughly researched and TEARS has a great deal of expert knowledge in this area.
• Staff have designed the new units specifically to address a pressing need.

EXPECTED LIFE CHANGE

An investment of R 92 700 will provide a peaceful sanctuary for around 100 pregnant cats and cats with kittens every year during “kitten season”.

This will reduce the number of unwanted and feral cats in the long term as well as provide compassionate care to cats in distress.

NEED

Every year, when the “kitten season” starts, animal shelters are unable to cope with the increased number of abandoned pregnant cats, cats with kittens and litters of kittens which are either brought to shelters by caring members of the public or rescued from dire situations by fieldworkers and volunteers.

The ever-increasing feral cat populations of the South Peninsula are also a problem and need to be trapped, sterilised and returned to their habitats where they can be monitored. And although many organisations sterilise abandoned animals and companion animals in disadvantaged communities, they cannot overcome the problem of overpopulation.

The present facility at TEARS is inadequate to deal with the numbers of cats and kittens that arrive on their doorstep, which means that the cats become stressed, resulting in them contracting illnesses like snuffles.

STRATEGY

A facility separate from the other cats, with limited access by trained staff and volunteers is needed. Some mother cats will have to spend a minimum of 8-12 weeks in their unit and it is important that their physical and emotional wellbeing is not compromised. A separate Cat Maternity Unit will be created by dividing a Kwikspace modular unit into five pens and adding a sink and small storage area to prevent cross-contamination from other areas.

The cats will be sterilised once the kittens have been homed. The cat and kitten adoption fee of R400 covers the first vaccination, deworming, frontlining, sterilisation and microchipping. If a kitten is too young to be sterilised (under five months), contact is made with the owner when the sterilisation is due, and the kitten is either returned to TEARS for sterilisation or taken to a veterinary practice which supports TEARS.

ACTION PLAN

Preparation

A meeting has been arranged with a representative from Kwikspace Modular Homes, so that they can visit the premises and find a suitable area to place the unit.

Implementation

Delivery of the unit will take approximately four weeks. Once delivered, it will take another week to divide the unit into five compartments and install a sink and small storage area, with another week being set aside to install water and electricity.

Monitoring

Each pregnant cat or cat with kittens will be carefully monitored with regard to their stress levels and general health. Once the kittens have been homed or moved to the kitten pen, the mother cats will be sterilised. The units will be fully utilised until the end of “kitten season”, which is usually around April/May.

RISK PROFILE

Key Strengths

• Concept: Sterilisation of cats and kittens (when they are old enough) prevents further breeding. Providing pregnant cats and cats with kittens with a safe home ensures that these cats find suitable homes and are not abandoned.
• Design: Sterile units prevent diseases like snuffles. The new unit builds on and improves current facilities and methods, thereby improving the services offered by TEARS.
• Capability: Heading up the project is Rita Brock, a qualified animal behaviourist who specialises in cat behaviour. Staff have conducted extensive research in consultation with vets to set up the current cattery and have good experience in working with feral cats.
• Control: Their financial statements are externally audited annually.
• Sustainability: The unit will be located on TEARS’ new premises at Wenga Farm which is owned by TEARS.

Key Risks

• Design: An education component would help to raise awareness in the community about sterilisation, looking after pregnant cats and the problem of unwanted cats.
• Capability: There are no continuity plans in place if Rita Brock were to leave. The cat projects may not continue at their current level without her specialised input.
• Control: No dedicated accounting software, they use a customised Excel document.
• Sustainability: Wenga Farm is a bonded property with monthly mortgage repayments which are significantly higher than their current rent. There will be high set-up costs at the new facility. TEARS hasn’t moved to Wenga Farm yet and the cattery will be the first facility on the new premises.
• External: Serious disease outbreak. People who buy kittens may not bring them back to be sterilised, although this is mitigated by a policy of regular communication and follow-up with new owners. There is no guarantee that people will continue to look after the kittens they adopt.