Feral Cat Programme

Support the paws that roam our campus

Since 2017, the University of the Free State has supported the Feral Cat Programme to care for the feral cat colonies on the Bloemfontein Campus. What began as a campus initiative has grown into a non-profit organisation that now also helps manage cat colonies across Bloemfontein.

More than 150 feral cats roam our campus. They are not just passing visitors. They quietly keep our spaces cleaner by helping to control pests such as rats and mice. They are part of our community, and they deserve care.

For years, volunteers – made up of staff, students, and community members – have taken it upon themselves to feed and care for these cats. They provide food, fresh water, and regular monitoring to make sure the cats are healthy. The cats are also sterilised and vaccinated through the veterinarian-approved Trap Neuter Return system, which allows them to live freely without adding to the number of homeless cats.

But the volunteers can only do so much. To keep the cats healthy and sustained, they need the support of the wider UFS community.

At the UFS, Care is one of our core values. This care is not only for our students and staff. It also extends to the creatures that share our campuses and play their part in keeping our environment safe and balanced.

By donating, you are helping us provide the food that keeps these paws roaming. You are joining a community of care that ensures these cats are treated with dignity and compassion while continuing to play their quiet role in university life.