WATCH: Animal lovers – “Shame on you, Pick n Pay”

The Falls Pick n Pay, located at the corner of Johan Street and Hendrik Potgieter Road in Little Falls is on the verge of losing a number of customers following the protest action led by animal organisations that are against the ban on feral cats and the relocation of their feeding stations from the property.

Members of the National Cat Action Task Force (Ncat) and Ban Animal Trading, as well as general cat lovers demonstrated outside the property on Saturday, 13 July, in a bid to alert motorists about the situation surrounding the cats.

Read the initial article here:

https://roodepoortnorthsider.co.za/299857/outrage-over-alleged-canning-of-feral-cat-feeding-project/

The peaceful action was supported by the very young, the youth and seniors from across Johannesburg who held their placards up high with different striking messages for Pick n Pay

“We are protesting today because these cats have been living right in the back of Pick n Pay in the recycling area for six years. These cats have been fed daily with the consent of the local management, but suddenly their feeding stations were withdrawn,” said the founder of Ncat, Anneke Malan, who explained the purpose of the protest.

She also believed that it was inhumane to withdraw food from animals who are used to being fed.

In a recent statement by Pick n Pay, its spokesperson, Janine Caradonna, stated that the company remained strong supporters and funders of animal welfare; however, they had to relocate the cats due to the area becoming unhygienic, and also were instructed by City of Johannesburg Health Inspector to prevent cats from entering the receiving area.

Anneke replied, saying the relocation had caused suffering to the cats. “The person who has been putting out the food for the cats told us they haven’t been eating the food. Pick n Pay also stated they received a report from a health inspector telling them the cats had to go. However, we had a meeting with the same inspector who said he cannot prescribe to Pick n Pay as they are on private property and are a private entity,” she explained.

She said that no one has laid eyes on the health report allegedly issued to the franchise.

A feral cat caregiver, Annatjie van Niekerk, added, “Feeding the cats has proved to be no health issue at all – we engaged the National SPCA, two health inspectors from the City and vets who deal with feral cats, all of whom stated there are no health issues”.

Before the protest concluded, Anneke said, “Members of the public are not happy with Pick n Pay or the situation. They are prepared to go so far as to boycott Pick n Pay until they sit down with us and have a proper conversation where we can actually negotiate a way forward”.