Car guard cat lover’s story truly heartwarming

Date: 27 November 2016 By: Andries van Zyl

With no shortage of bad news making newspaper headlines these days, Project TNR Louis Trichardt has a good story to tell.

Project TNR (TrapNeuterReturn) is a globally recognised initiative where feral cats are humanely trapped, sterilised and returned to their habitats. These cats are also vaccinated against rabies and in some cases even receive medical treatment, if needed.

Louis Trichardt also boasts its own Project TNR initiative, with resident Marinda van der Walt being the driving force behind it. Within a short space of time, she and her fellow volunteers have made tremendous inroads into addressing the town’s feral cat problem.

About two weeks ago, Project TNR Louis Trichardt was informed by a concerned community member, Ms Rita Whiteley, of a feral cat that needed help at the Shoprite parking area. “We managed to trap him and our vet confirmed that the massive lump under his belly was actually his intestines protruding because of a hernia,” said Marinda.

The cat was taken to the project’s vet, Dr Gerhard Klopper, who managed to repair the hernia and also neutered him.

Raymond the cat was returned on Wednesday, 16 November, and made a full recovery after his ordeal. But a surprise was waiting for the TNR volunteers. “It turned out that this specific cat belonged to a car guard, Raymond Maswanganye. We decided it fitting to also name the cat Raymond, after his caring cat guardian,” said Marinda, adding that the bond between the two Raymonds was quite heartwarming to see.

Shortly afterwards, whilst arranging to trap ferals at Talisman Hire, owner Laurie Bannatyne was told about the two Raymonds and he immediately wanted to help by giving Raymond (the human) a Talisman shirt and cap. The team from TNR also found out that Raymond has actually also been caring for another two community cats. “We immediately sprang into action and trapped, neutered and returned both of them. It was indeed a happy #FeralFriday when we returned both the other cats to their parking-lot home. There were big smiles from cat guardian Raymond, and Raymond the cat also came to supervise,” said Marinda.

According to Marinda, Raymond informed them that members of the community sometimes donate bags of cat food to help him feed his cats. “We think this is such a wonderful feel-good story about a cat, a car guard and a very special community!” said Marinda.

To find out more about Project TNR Louis Trichardt, the easiest way to make contact is through their Facebook page, Project TNR Louis Trichardt, or by sending an SMS or WhatsApp to Megan Terink at 082 804 6180, Laura van Zyl at 083 404 6751 or Marinda at 076 898 1994.

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Andries van Zyl

Andries joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in April 1993 as a darkroom assistant. Within a couple of months he moved over to the production side of the newspaper and eventually doubled as a reporter. In 1995 he left the newspaper group and travelled overseas for a couple of months. In 1996, Andries rejoined the Zoutpansberger as a reporter. In August 2002, he was appointed as News Editor of the Zoutpansberger, a position he holds until today.

More photos... 

Raymond the cat on the operating table, moments before local vet Dr Gerhard Klopper repaired his hernia and also neutered Raymond. Photo supplied.