Greater Kruger Alley Cat Initiative

The Greater Kruger Alley Cat Initiative NPO 249-201 was created in 2015 under the name Hoedspruit Alley Cat Initiative and focused on the trapping, sterilizing and returning of feral cats in order to protect the African Wildcat from hybridization.

THE ISSUE 

 The main threat to the African wild cat is crossbreeding with domestic cats and because of this pure African wild cats are scarce. Feral domestic cats also compete with wild cats for prey and habitat and can also transmit infectious diseases to them such as FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) and FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus). 

 THE SOLUTION

By using humane food-baited traps we catch, sterilize, vaccinate, treat and release feral cats. In doing this, we hope to reduce the damaging effect the feral cats have on the local African wild cat populations as well as to limit cruelty towards feral cats within the community. In addition to the TNR project, we maintain 28 feeding stations scattered across Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa. Feral kittens are fostered and adopted out to loving families. Since our inception we have expanded to many areas bordering the Kruger National Park including Sabie, Phalaborwa and Bushbuck Ridge. We have sterilized over 4000 feral cats in this time, 865 of which were in 2023 we also started to notice an increase in the amount of AWC sightings in the areas we trap leading to the formation of the African Wildcat Project whom we work alongside. As we are an NPO we are constantly fundraising in order to pay for our vet bills, petrol, traps, feeding stations and cat food. A few of our fund-raising initiatives include our various products, a portable gin bar and slush puppy stand, inflatable party rentals, a grab and go cafe, a charity shop in Hoedspruit as well as attend event where we can sell our products while creating awareness. We try to be as self-sufficient as possible and not rely solely on donations in order to make as big an impact as possible