REPORT 1: TEARS: A dedicated cat maternity unit

Every year, as spring approaches, animal shelters are overrun with pregnant cats and cats with kittens: the “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 was not equipped to deal with these special needs cats, which meant increased stress levels and a consequent increase in disease. This project sets up a dedicated cat maternity unit, creating a stress- and disease-free environment for the abandoned animals. The mother and kitten unit has five individual pens and facilities for sterilising the mother cats once homes have been found for their kittens.

Impact

The cat maternity unit has been set up with the five pens, bedding, electricity and water installed. There has not been the same number of pregnant cats this year, possibly due to the colder weather so the maternity unit is not yet in full use. Once in use, the improved conditions at the unit will decrease the stress levels of pregnant cats and also improve their health.

Activities

The unit was delivered on Wednesday 28 May, 2008. Rita Brock from the Cat Assistance Team, who designed the unit, was on hand to ensure that is was placed in the designated area – the positioning had to be at right angles to the Feral Cat Sterilisation Facility, which was under construction. It was a challenge to get the huge truck parked in just the right place to successfully lower the unit into place. Space was limited and the trees quite an obstacle, but eventually the task was completed to Rita’s satisfaction.

The utility room, which is part of the Feral Cat Sterilisation Facility, is still in the process of being completed. This room will service not only the Sterilisation Facility but also the Maternity Unit and will be used as a storage area for bedding, food and litter as well as a kitchen/cleaning room.

Expenditure

The cost of the project is R89,398 with R10,000 still to be paid.

Challenges

The building of the utility room has come to a temporary halt because of the inclement weather and also because, during a storm, a huge tree crashed down onto the roof of the Sterilisation Facility, causing damage to the roof. The builder, a TEARS volunteer, has since completed the building, and it is ready for use.

Monitoring and evaluation

The maternity unit is a Kwikspace modular unit, which is like a container. Kwikspace customizes the interior according to customer specifications. The interior was designed and inspected by Rita Brock of the TEARS cat assistance unit. Kwikspace delivered and placed the unit on TEARS’ premises.

The impact of the unit will be measured by:

• a subjective observation of animal behaviour. Cats exhibit very specific behaviour when experiencing high levels of stress and this can be easily observed.
• measurement of levels of disease by a vet.

Conclusions

Wherever there are people and communities, there will be cats and sadly, in spite of efforts to deal with the problem of overpopulation of companion animals, there will always be pregnant cats and cats with kittens needing help. TEARS are aware of the immense suffering endured by unwanted animals so one of their core aims is the sterilisation of cats and dogs.

TEARS have a sustained sterilisation programme, operational in the disadvantaged communities of Masiphumelele, Ocean View, Mountain View and Red Hill. They also assist in the sterilisation of feral cats in colonies, as well as factory cats, resort cats, abandoned cats, cats in other disadvantaged communities, in fact, any cats without a responsible person to take care of their well-being. In spite of this comprehensive sterilisation programme, they are nevertheless overwhelmed when the “kitten season” starts and they are inundated with pregnant cats and cats with kittens.

The new maternity unit will go a long way towards caring for these animals in a safe and healthy environment, once the kitten season begins.