How it all began

After retiring from the property market where she worked as a project coordinator, Vee Erasmus initially got involved with the free-roaming cat colonies after her previous yoga instructor, who was working for an organisation formerly known as Helping PAWS (now called Aniwell Potchefstroom), introduced her to this initiative aiding cats within the community. This organisation focused on sterilising, feeding and releasing the cats back to the colonies and tried to re-home some kittens; the feral cats were always taken back to their colonies. The organisation responded to calls regarding kittens and feral cats in various locations in and around town. It’s during her time spent with this organisation that Vee saw just how many cats were in need and it’s where she rescued three cat colonies. Unfortunately, these colonies were wiped out by some unhappy members of the community. After this devastating blow, Vee withdrew from the organisation and took a break from cat rescue missions. Her transition to dedicating her life to these animals illustrates a profound commitment to making the world a better place, one cat at a time. 

Crossing paths with P.A.W.S

It wasn’t until much later that other, unrelated circumstances led her to P.A.W.S and it’s here where she met the free-roaming colony on the premises. The ‘outdoor sanctuary’ was started by P.A.W.S, however, it was Vee’s encounter with the plight of this free-roaming colony that ignited the transformation of a casual endeavour into a full-time mission. Seeing the need to help, Vee, along with her worker, Thomas, started coming to the shelter three times a week where they feed, clean and maintain the cats and their haven. Now, two years later, the premises are unrecognisable and it provides these animals with so much more than they had and gives them a fighting chance. 

It's all about the personality

The majority of the cats at this sanctuary are domesticated who have just been dropped off by their owners - a sad reality they come face to face with on a daily basis. Each of these fluff balls have their own unique personality and Vee knows each and every one; she also knows when there is a new face in the colony - which is very impressive! 

Feline Funding

Funding, as with many endeavours of this nature, presents a constant challenge. The sanctuary operates on the goodwill and financial support from Vee herself and of the community, requiring substantial resources for food, medication, and maintenance. The three days that Vee spends at the sanctuary, she provides the cats with more nutritious food such as chicken or mince and rice, she also gives them fresh milk with a probiotic which goes in the milk. P.A.W.S takes care of the cats the remaining four days. Although these felines are not the biggest, they go through 300kg of crunchies (dry food) each month - and that’s only at the sanctuary. The most important donations that are needed at the sanctuary are:

• Tins of cat food (medication is placed in the food to ensure the cats take it)

• Cat crunchies/pellets (dry food)

• Flea and Tick control ampules and dewormer

• Medication 

• Fresh farm milk is always welcome (probiotics get put in the milk for additional vitamins which help to boost and regulate the immune system)

• IBR Sheeting for two of the shelters that need to be replaced

• Heavy duty plastic (can be obtained at Builders Warehouse)

• Fly traps

• A fence with a gate (she would like to fence the front of the shelter in for safety purposes)

  
  

She will also be opening accounts at various stores, like Cat Box and Builders Warehouse as well as Bult Dierekliniek where the public can make donations directly to these establishments for the sanctuary’s ‘account’. 

Adoption is the best Option 

Many of the cats at the sanctuary are adoptable and the adoption process* is similar to all the other animals at P.A.W.S. As mentioned in a previous article, there is a whole process that takes place before you can take home your furry friend. The sanctuary encourages the community to get involved, whether by adopting, volunteering time, or donating resources. Today, the sanctuary stands as a well-structured haven, featuring a quarantine centre for new arrivals to acclimate, and mainly shelters domesticated cats that were abandoned there. While many of these cats are adoptable, some, due to their temperaments or past traumas, are better suited to life on farms, provided they have access to food and shelter.

*Please contact Vee directly for more information on the furries at the free-roaming colony (072 227 2688).

Donate your Time

If you are unable to make a donation, whether it be financially or otherwise, you can always donate your time. Volunteers are welcome any time - whether it’s spending time with the cats, helping clean up around the premises, gardening or bringing them a little treat, “any little piece of anything is better than nothing.”

A Call to Action

The sanctuary's journey underscores a critical message: every little bit helps. Whether it's donating time, food, building materials, or simply spreading the word, the collective effort makes a significant difference. Vee's story is not just about rescuing cats; it's about fostering a community that values and upholds the dignity of every living being. The sanctuary not only offers a second chance to its feline residents but also serves as a powerful reminder of the compassion and resilience that define our humanity.

This haven is more than just a refuge for cats; it's a testament to the power of empathy and the difference that dedicated individuals can make in the lives of animals. With every purr and contented nap, these cats tell a story of resilience, gratitude, and the enduring bond between humans and their furry companions. It's a reminder to us all that kindness can indeed change the world, one whisker at a time.

Johané van Dyk - Potchefstroom

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Those who wish to get involved or make donations are welcome to contact Vee directly at 072 227 2688 or drop the donations off at The Go-To Guy’s offices (17A Palmiet Street). 

Meet the Cats

Here are some of the cats that call the sanctuary home:

Join us for a purr-fect day where we meet and greet Vee, the lovely cats that call the sanctuary home and get to know them better.