CAT MOM OPENS DOORS FOR KITTEN THERAPY

One cat changed Jordan Soares’ life, and now, as a confessed cat lady, she’s on a mission to change the lives of other cats.

Jordan, a Bedfordview resident, runs Germiston-based NPO Cat Mom.

She hopes her unique approach to running her cattery shelter and fund-raising for the kittens in her care will grab the attention of donors and prospective adoptees.

“It all started with one cat during the 2020 lockdown, when I had a feral cat that would regularly visit my house.

One day, she brought me her kitten, and I named him Max.

“I was never a cat person, but somehow this little girl kept coming back. Then one day she came back pregnant again.”

Jordan arranged for the mummy cat, now named Lilly, to be trapped and sterilised.

She also found homes for her new litter of kittens.

After her sterilisation, Lilly joined Max as a member of the Soares family.

“She’s the cat that started everything for me.”

Jordan said she knew there was more she could do, and in August 2020, she joined her aunt in turning a portion of her aunt’s Germiston property into a cattery.

“My aunt helped me put everything together, and I started to receive calls from people who needed help.”

The facility now features a dedicated isolation area for sick and recovering kittens, as well as spacious well-equipped rooms and catteos for the 64 cats and kittens in the care of Cat Mom.

In August, Cat Mom was registered as an official NPO and earlier this year Jordan and her team reached their intake capacity.

“Early on, I realised there were more kittens that needed help than people are willing to adopt.”

She believes this is because there are still many misconceptions about cats.

To achieve her goal, Jordan opted for a unique approach to both education and networking with the kittens in her care.

“So many people have said playing with my cats and kittens felt therapeutic. I thought it was a great idea to open therapy sessions with kittens for the community.

“I decided to put a poll on various social media pages to ask if anyone would be interested in kitten therapy and there was such an amazing interest.”

She explained residents can book a one-hour or more therapy session with Cat Mom and during the time they can relax and play with kittens or sit back and read a book.

Alternatively, residents are also invited to enjoy a meal during their session.

“When people arrive, they are given a packet of catnip to use and a toy they return at the end of their session.

“During the therapy session, visitors can play with, observe and interact with our kittens.”

Jordan said the idea of kitten therapy was a growing trend in countries such as Japan and she hopes it will take off in South Africa too.

“Playing with cats and kittens is a great way to destress and relax.

“The main idea behind the therapy is to raise funds for Cat Mom to help with sterilisations and care for the kittens at the shelter, but we also hope someone who comes in falls in love with one or more of the kittens and they consider adopting them.”

The first hour of kitten therapy will cost R150 and R50 for every hour thereafter, and sessions need to be pre-booked.

“A maximum of four people will be allowed into therapy at a time. This is not only to comply with Covid regulations but also to ensure everyone gets a fair chance and as many kitten cuddles as possible.

“We’re still a very new organisation. You never really know how big the problem is until you’re in the middle of it.

“I get at least four calls a day for people who need help with cats. Everything from needing mum cats sterilised to rescuing feral cats and from people who would like to surrender their kittens from an unexpected litter.”

Cat Mom has helped cats and kittens from around Gauteng and even as far away as Rustenburg.

“I always knew I wanted to help people, now I help cats who will help people. It’s a beautiful cycle.”

While Jordan and her dedicated team ensure every kitten and teenage cat is cared for, Cat Mom resident cats Sam and Doppel take on the role of kitten carers.

“Sam has never been a mum, but she has lovingly taken on the role for all the kittens brought in. With Doppel, she teaches the new kittens the ropes around the shelter.”

As with any organisation, Cat Mom is always in need of donations, including food, cat scratchers and litter.

“We can also use anything such as books for our therapy library and even empty boxes because cats love boxes.”

Cat Mom adoptions cost R850 per kitten, which includes sterilisation at five months, full vaccination, a microchip and up-to-date tick and flea treatments.

Additionally, each kitten undergoes a check-up before they leave for their forever homes.

“I want what’s best for the kittens. Many of them had a rough start to their lives and Cat Mom was the start of their new lives. Cats have changed my life and now it’s my turn to change theirs,” Jordan said.

For more information or to book a session of kitten therapy, contact Cat Mom on 084 277 8888 or at catmom.info@gmail.com