Patrick knows he has the best job in the world. He is responsible for feeding up to 120 cats who call the University of Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa, their home. When he starts feeding breakfast at 7 am he is soon surrounded by his furry friends who gather around him, running out from under nearby bushes, parked cars, and trees. It’s a quiet time of the morning, perfect to start feeding breakfast before the campus is abuzz with frantic students rushing to classes.
Global Cat Day, celebrated worldwide on October 16, was borne out of a need to rally for and strengthen support for humane policies to protect community cats. It’s a day to celebrate and spread the word that community cats have their rightful place on this planet and can coexist with humans in our living environments.
“The purpose of Global Cat Day is to strengthen support for humane policies that protect cats. October 16, we’re rallying people around the world to take our pledge to speak up for the cats in their communities and show kindness for all catkind.” Alley Cat Allies
Last year on Global Cat Day we shared stories about the community campus cats at the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa. Mr. Spunky, in particular, had his heart healed by a litter of four kittens. I caught up with Dr. Sharyn Spicer, lecturer and founder of TUFCAT, The UWC Feral Cat Project, and I was pleased to hear of the many positive changes and major successes along their sometimes very tough journey.
Featuring the handsome Mr. Spunky, the kittens and his friends
When I visited the community cat colonies living at the UWC campus in Cape Town this year, it warmed my heart to witness the dedication of the volunteers and staff of TUCAT (The University Feral cat Project). That Spring, the University got caught up in student protests on campus and as always, it’s the innocent animals that suffer the consequences that follow. Some cats went missing or were displaced, and with the student holidays and skeleton staff, it was a challenge trying to track them down and ensure that all the cat colonies were fed. But with the help of everyone from the volunteers, campus caretakers, and the security guards, the cats never missed a meal. The TUFCAT campus cats call this university their home and are loved by many!
October 16 is Global Cat Day, initiated by Alley Cat Allies since 2001 is intended to rally people around the world to take a pledge to show compassion and kindness to our community cats everywhere. I love that they have renamed it Global Cat Day to expand their reach and message with the realization that community cats all over the world are faced with the same obstacles: local laws advocating the removal or killing of community cats from their natural habitats, in many cases using inhumane and cruel practices such as shooting and poisoning.
Luckily there are individuals and dedicated guardian angels working against all odds to protect and improve the lives of feral cats around the world. Earlier this year I have had the pleasure to have met up with one such cat guardian angel, sociologist and lecturer, Sharyn Spicer at the University of Western Cape, South Africa.
Us cats love nothing more than to cavort in our little catio jungle, come rain, hail or snow. There is always something interesting to do; basking in a sun puddle, watching the birds from the highway ramps or ambushing my friend George as he exits the tunnel. We like sharing our activities with everyone and we are pleased to announce our new 2017 cat wall calendar ‘A Catio for all Seasons’which is now available for sale. There are many delightful photos of us, capturing our charming purrsonalities and mischievous antics, but above all, it’s also peppered with sprinklings of our Haiku poetry that is sure to keep you on the good path of Zen. Here at Chirpy Cats it’s all about less stress and more Zen.
The Chirpy Cats 2017 Wall Calendar ‘A Catio for All Seasons’
The Chirpy Cats crew hail from different situations, but our backgrounds all have a common thread: abandonment by humans for various reasons. We were lucky to end up with our humans, but we know that many others are not so lucky. That is why our big Lady Cat has decided to donate all proceeds from this calendar to a TNR program in South Africa called TUFCAT (The UWC feral Cat Project) a rescue group based in Cape Town, South Africa, who takes care of a colony of ferals located on the University premises. Read More
