We, the undersigned residents, community members and animal lovers, respectfully petition for the protection of established and responsibly managed feral cat colonies along the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, from Hibberdene to Port Edward, including their existing shelters and managed feeding areas.

Throughout the South Coast, a number of established feral cat colonies are cared for by members of the public and local communities. Dedicated residents voluntarily provide food, fresh water, shelter and ongoing monitoring, while working to have cats sterilised, vaccinated and responsibly managed.

These colonies are not simply being left to breed unchecked. Through responsible Trap-Neuter/Vaccinate-Return (TNVR), sterilisation, vaccination and continued monitoring, these colonies have become stable and controlled. This approach helps prevent further breeding while allowing established cats to remain in the areas they already know.

We recognise that concerns may be raised regarding the possible impact of feral cats on local wildlife, including birds and nesting sites. However, we believe that decisions affecting established, managed colonies should be based on proper, local and site-specific evidence rather than assumptions, generalisations or hearsay.

Research conducted in other regions may provide useful information, but it does not automatically establish what is happening at particular colonies or nesting sites on the South Coast. Our local environment contains numerous natural predators, human disturbances and environmental factors that may contribute to bird mortality, nest failure or the loss of eggs and nestlings.

Where  particular cat colonies are alleged to be causing harm to wildlife, we therefore ask that proper investigation take place before drastic action is considered. This should include, where appropriate, documented field observations, monitoring of the affected areas, photographs or video footage, night surveillance or camera monitoring, and other reliable evidence capable of identifying the actual cause of the problem.

We are not claiming that cats can never prey on birds or other wildlife. We are asking that where cats are blamed for a specific environmental problem, there should first be credible evidence demonstrating that the cats in that particular location are materially contributing to the problem.

Removing or disrupting colonies that have been sterilised, monitored and managed for years without first identifying the true cause of an environmental problem could undo years of community-led population control while failing to solve the problem itself. If cats are removed and bird losses continue because another predator or environmental factor was responsible, both the wildlife concern and the established management programme may have been harmed unnecessarily.

We therefore believe that any proposed intervention should follow a responsible process of investigation, evidence gathering and consultation before cats are removed, relocated, euthanised, shelters are destroyed, or established feeding and management arrangements are disrupted.

We respectfully ask that Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, Law Enforcement, the SPCA and other relevant authorities:

🐾 Allow responsibly managed feral cat colonies from Hibberdene to Port Edward to remain in their established locations wherever reasonably possible.

🐾 Allow existing shelters, cat houses and managed feeding areas to remain where they are being responsibly maintained.

🐾 Support and encourage a responsible Trap-Neuter/Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) approach to controlling feral cat populations.

🐾 Consult with the residents, volunteers and members of the public who currently care for individual colonies before removing cats, shelters or feeding structures.

🐾 Require proper, site-specific investigation and credible evidence before taking action against a colony on the basis of alleged harm to birds, nesting sites or other wildlife.

🐾 Where wildlife impacts are alleged, consider appropriate monitoring methods such as field observations, cameras, night surveillance and documented evidence to establish what is actually occurring at the affected site.

🐾 Consider other possible causes of wildlife loss, including natural predators, environmental conditions and human disturbance, rather than assuming that the presence of cats alone establishes responsibility.

🐾 Recognise the important role that members of the public play in feeding, sterilising, vaccinating, monitoring and managing these colonies at their own time and expense.

🐾 Work toward humane, cooperative, evidence-based and long-term solutions rather than the unnecessary removal or displacement of established, responsibly managed colonies.

By signing this petition, I confirm that I support the continued humane and responsible management of established feral cat colonies along the South Coast, from Hibberdene to Port Edward, together with their existing shelters and managed feeding areas.

I further support the principle that significant action against an established colony should only be considered after proper consultation, local investigation and credible evidence have established the nature and cause of the problem concerned.