Purr-chase with purr-pose: calendars for cats

EVERY day, more than 100 feral cats are fed along Durban’s beachfront, and surrounding areas, thanks to three Durban women determined to make a difference.

Sherryl Bradfield, Pauline Tribe, and Rose Magic have made it their mission to care for these cats, 365 days a year and all from their own pockets.

At least R20 000 is needed every month to cover their daily food bills, as well as medical expenses for the cats.

Bradfield told the Independent on Saturday that everyone should give back to society, and this is their way of doing so.

“The reason we started this project was because of the number of cats dumped on the streets, which increases daily,” she said.

In 2017, the three women registered a non-profit organisation dedicated to serving feral cats. Known as St Francis Carers of Abused and Abandoned Cats. Bradfield said donations and support for their fundraisers make a huge difference in the work they do.

Now, readers have another opportunity to help; by purchasing a 2026 cat calendar to raise funds.

According to Bradfield, every year Ian and Judy DuRand of Compass Medical Waste fund a fundraising cat calendar project, and the money is used to sterilise and feed the feral cats.

“It costs approximately R1 800 to sterilise one female cat, and one unsterilised female will have 25 kittens in a year. The tragedy is that cats can become pregnant as young as four months old, resulting in more unwanted kittens,” she said.

The 2026 calendar features stunning, fun, and heartwarming images of cats, courtesy of photographer Brendan Bromfield, and will make a beautiful gift.

Bradfield says the calendars are ready to purchase, and anyone who wants to buy one or make a donation to St Francis can contact her on 082 510 6762. More information is available on their website: www.stfranciscats.co.za, and they provide Section 18A tax certificates to any business making a donation.