Two Stellenbosch locals have taken the initiative to feed and care for over 45 stray cats around town.
This is according to Abigail Dalbock, a PhD student in Ancient Languages at Stellenbosch University (SU), who, along with Stellenbosch resident Debbie Loots, cares for local cats.
“My part in this initiative was born from a need to have animals in my life,” said Dalbock.
Abigail Dalbock, a PhD student in Ancient Languages at Stellenbosch University, has taken the initiative to feed and care for stray cats around the community. She and Debbie Loots, a local resident, care for over 45 stray cats in the Stellenbosch area, according to Dalbock. PHOTO: Christopher Naidoo
According to Dalbock, her partner is highly allergic to animals, so caring for the cats became a way for her to spend time with animals without putting her partner’s health at risk.
“When I first met [the cats], they were completely wild and human wary,” said Dalbock. “But I spend between 20 and 40 minutes with them every day after I give them food, quietly watching them, talking to them, and showing them that I’m a friend as well as a caretaker.”
Abigail Dalbock, a PhD student in Ancient Languages at Stellenbosch University, sets up food for one of the groups of cats she oversees. Dalbock said that it took around five months for the cats to start warming up to her. Now, after nurturing the stray cats for two years, she can pet most of them without any fear, she said. PHOTO: Christopher Naidoo
“Three [of the cats] are very attached to me, in an identical way to house pets,” said Dalbock. “I truly love them, and I really do consider them my ‘pets-not-at-home’.”
A friendship found
Loots said that she and Dalbock found friendship through their love for animals.
“About a year ago, I started helping Mary [Cameron-Williger] – an elderly lady who has been feeding stray cats along the Eerste River for over 15 years,” said Loots. “Through her, I met Abi [Dalbock], who was feeding a colony of cats at The Kelders.”
According to Loots, she and Dalbock started helping each other by feeding each other’s colonies when one of them needed help or had to go away.
‘The need is extreme’
Loots and Dalbock, who use their own money to feed the cats, told SMF News that they hope to receive more support from the Stellenbosch community and grow the initiative in the future.
“We are only two people, and the need is extreme,” said Loots. “So, although we would love to grow it to help more animals, we can only do so much.”
Abigail Dalbock, a Stellenbosch local who is part of a feeding initiative for stray cats in town, sets up shelter and food for a colony of stray cats. “Beyond daily feeding, we provide clean water, build insulated shelters for winter where we can, and ensure their medical needs are met,” she said. PHOTO: Christopher Naidoo
“I see the strays often whenever I walk past the [SU] sports field,” said Charys Stainbank, a Stellenbosch resident.
Stainbank said that she appreciates Dalbock and Loots for the selfless work they have been doing.
“I think it is a problem that not enough people are aware of these local heroes,” she said. “We need to spread more awareness about [Dalbock and Loots] so that they can receive more support from the community and grow their initiative.”
Abigail Dalbock feeds a colony of stray cats in Stellenbosch. Dalbock said that she spends around 20 minutes every day with each of the colonies she feeds. “I truly love them and I really do consider them my ‘pets-not-at-home’,” she said. PHOTO: Christopher Naidoo