What Is a Feral Cat?
Feral cats are characterised by their ‘unowned’ status, avoidance of human interaction, and ability to survive independently in the wild, albeit often very poorly. Domestic cats born and raised in the wild, or who have been abandoned or lost and turned to wild ways to survive, are considered feral.
While some feral cats tolerate a bit of human contact, most are too fearful and wild to be handled. They usually live in groups, called colonies, and take refuge wherever they can find a food source and some shelter.
Unlike stray cats, ferals very rarely become socialised to humans and cannot easily be adopted. If found as kittens, ideally younger than 8 weeks, they can often be socialised and adopted. Feral cats usually face extremely harsh living conditions, which many do not survive. These conditions are exacerbated by the reality that they are considered ‘vermin’ by some and are often treated very cruelly by humans. Their lives are not easy, by any means.
Naturally, feral cats can have an impact on wildlife, and it is important that this also be acknowledged as part of the dynamic of dealing with feral cats, particularly in an environment like Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve where environmental conservation is so key to our establishment.
Why a Feral Cat Programme at Kagga Kamma?
Following the steady increase of an influx of feral cats onto the Reserve since late 2020, early 2021, the management Team, with the encouragement and approval of the Board of Directors, established a Feral Cat Programme to manage the Kagga Kamma colony, and ensure that their presence here has minimal impact on the environment, while also providing for and caring about the well-being of the cats.
To this end, we have set up feeding and watering stations at the most appropriate places on the premises, in consultation with relevant animal welfare specialists, and regularly set humane cat traps in and around the feeding stations, as part of the TNR leg of the Programme. TNR stands for “Trap-Neuter-Return” and is the most humane and effective method known for managing feral cat populations and reducing their numbers. The Programme is operated in line with international standards and best practice, in terms of feral cat colony welfare and management. We conduct this part of the programme in partnership with Chain Boland, a local, registered non-profit animal welfare organisation. Chain Boland work closely with the Witzenberg Municipality and the three veterinary practices in the area to address the overpopulation of dogs and cats in the region, through sterilization, vaccination, education, and clinics.
As cats are trapped on the Reserve, they are taken to be sterilized, health-checked, tested for Feline Aids, and given Rabies vaccinations. They are then returned to the Reserve. The reason that they are returned, is if the colony declines completely, other feral cats will move in and claim the territory, and we will be back to square one. If they are sterilized and returned, they retain the territory, and with ongoing trapping and sterilization taking place, eventually the whole colony will be neutered and no more breeding can occur, but the cats get to live out their lives in peace.
This Programme is conducted with the utmost care and consideration for both our guests and the cats, as well as our indigenous fauna and flora on the Reserve. Our primary goal is to manage the feral cat population in a way that is humane and sustainable and ensure the preservation of our precious natural environment, while also maintaining the serene and enjoyable atmosphere of our Resort for our guests.
While we understand that the presence of feral cats may be unexpected for some guests, we take care to educate guests on arrival, and kindly request their understanding and cooperation as we carry out this important initiative.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Kagga Kamma Feral Cat Programme, please do not hesitate to reach out to our guest services Team, who will be more than happy to assist you