Loneliness after parting with beloved pets

 

There are thousands of people now living in Howick who have chosen the comfortable, secure lifestyle offered by the various mushrooming complexes. Often after the passing of a spouse concerned children and friends persuade their bereaved parent/friend to move from what was their family home to a neat little unit in a retirement village. It is a huge adjustment for many as so much has to be pared from their lives. They have, in the main, had to jettison much of their bulky furniture and many treasured mementos of lives lived in much bigger homes and gardens.

One of the hardest things for many of them is to decide what to do with the latest in a series of dogs and cats that have shared their lives. As loneliness is surely one of the contributing factors to depression in people adjusting to life in a complex it is particularly traumatic to also have to part with their beloved pets.

With this sad situation in mind the uMngeni SPCA has launched an initiative whereby anyone and particularly those who may be battling to come to terms with the loss of their beloved pets may share ownership of SPCA owned cats.

The uMngeni SPCA has nine and a half cats; three at the Fundraising Centre at 39 Main Street (opposite Giovision) and six at the kennels in Campbell Road. These cats are not up for adoption and are not kept in cages. They grace the reception desks and offices and each one has its own individual personality and attributes. Some consider themselves invaluable workers while others merely deign to accept the food on offer. Each one is a character. …oh, and the half cat? That’s Jack, will-o-the-wisp, newly arrived off the street, knows a good thing when he sees it.

Anyone who would like to have a share in any of these cats can become a Kitty-cat Shareholder. They can visit ‘their’ cat, taking in little cat treats, perhaps some cat-nip they may have grown in their garden or little cat toys. If they are lucky their cat may spend some time curled up on their lap but if not they will still have the bragging rights amongst their friends when they recount ‘their’ cat’s qualities. A small monthly contribution will go towards the upkeep of ‘their’ special cat as well as towards all the other animals the SPCA helps.

To find out more, pop into any of our outlets and ask for the Kitty-cat Shareholding package. Study the colour brochure, choose ‘your’ cat and complete the form to become a Kitty-cat Shareholder. This is surely a win-win offer for everyone.