Written by Tracy Mistry of Langebaan Animal Care
Professional photography by NeedOutdoors
Trigger Warning! Not for sensitive viewers. Contains descriptions and photographs of an upsetting nature including animal neglect and abuse.
Most people know how fussy cats can be when it comes to whom they choose as their special person. But when a feral cat chooses a man, there’s an extra-special unconditional bond. We’d like to share Erik and Strikkie’s heart-wrenching but warming story with you. Don’t worry, it turns out well!
Snared!
Strikkie is a feisty fussy feral female who recently had a very close encounter with a snare. Erik Mouton, from Mouton Motors in Langebaan, had been caring for her for a while when he realised she was missing and became quite concerned.
Unbelievably, after five days she managed to return – with the snare still attached to her! These barbaric devices were found by workers cleaning the open veldt. When they tried to cut her loose, Strikkie panicked and ran – but luckily straight back to Erik, where she felt safe.
Erik was able to take her to Langebaan Veterinary Animal Hospital immediately where one of our heroes, Dr Lucinda Cowen, carefully treated her for five days and miraculously managed to stabilise her until she could be stitched up. This was touch-and-go!
I only have eyes for you
Luckily, Langebaan Animal Care (LAC) had a space for her, which is rare, where she continued her recovery with Lynn Grinaker, and the pawsome volunteers looked after her around the clock for a further two weeks. She made it very clear to them (as you can see from her expression) that she didn’t like any of these ladies, but when Erik visited they realised she wasn’t into girls at all – she only had eyes for Erik!
We all found it incredible how well her wounds had healed after all the physical damage and the mental trauma she’d incurred. It always amazes us how animals can recover from such a traumatic experience and still have faith in humans (well, Erik anyway).
The upside to this story is that it proves that men do love cats! Plus, this horrific incident enabled us to make the public aware regarding what snares can do. Also after this happened several members of our caring community, including the neighbourhood watch team, came together and helped clear the veldt to prevent this from occurring again, which is ongoing.
With thanks
We’d like to give a huge shout-out to all her donor heroes: Jackie from the UK and three anonymous ones! Thank you to our incredible veterinary team at Langebaan Animal Hospital. Plus, to all the pawsome volunteers who helped to pull her through and, most of all, Erik! Without these special people Strikkie wouldn’t have made it.
This lucky girl has Erik in her heart and will remain a much-loved and cared-for feral kitty on his property. However, there are plenty of others to choose from as we have 55 rescued cats in our care who are seeking their purrfect match – this could be you!
LAC try their hardest to save as many animals like Strikkie as possible, but it’s one of our biggest challenges – and, believe me, we have a few! For more information visit Langebaan Animal Care, and if you too might want to adopt a cat, visit https://langebaananimalcare.org/Cats/.
Erik adds...
Strikkie is a feral cat, one of four. There are two brothers and a sister whom I took pity on and started feeding at my shop. Strikkie seems to have adopted me, as she hisses at everybody except me.
After her ordeal she now allows me to pick her up and will lie on my lap while I pet her, purring away, legs in the air and drooling, but will jump when she hears any noise.
As for ownership, I believe she owns me – you know how it is with cats...!
