Every room in the house is kitted out for animals.One room for kittens, another puppies, with each room set up for a specific age range.
Every room is scattered with food and water bowls, toys and beds – because one Port Elizabeth woman can’t bare to see any animal without a home.
There are now nearly 70 cats and almost 20 dogs crammed into Magda Spamer’s home.
Spamer, 45, from Sydenham has had a passion for the welfare of animals since her brother gave her two cats to look after when she was 17. “I was asked to look after them. They lived to be 18 years old.
“It was then that I developed a bond with animals,” said Spamer.
Choosing the single life after her fiancé died in an accidental shooting incident while working as a reservist, Spamer said she had no regrets and wouldn’t change a thing.
“For two years I didn’t want human contact.
“I preferred the comfort given by animals learnt to stand up for the animals. I chose not to have a husband – as long as the animals are happy, I am happy,” she said.
Spamer inherited her house when her parents passed away and for the past 15 years has been taking in strays, abandoned or dumped animals.
Recently she revamped the premises to include a fully equipped and enclosed cattery for her resident cats who share the space with others who have been dumped at her gate or thrown over her wall.
“It is heart breaking to deal with some of these cases.
“People even dump gravely ill or dead animals at my door,” said Spamer.
According to Spamer other times people bring animals in claiming that they are strays or “not theirs” but as soon as the person leaves the animal, usually a dog pines for the owner.
Working closely with the Animal Anti-Cruelty League and other animal organisations Spamer helps to rehabilitate, train and re-home most of the animals but sometimes the inevitable happens and on occasion some of the animals have to be put down.
Living alone with the animals Spamer said she barely has time to herself between cleaning up and feeding the animals but says it is all worth it when an animal finds a good home.
Spamer relies mainly on donations and sponsorships given by the various animal organisations she works closely with and sometimes from the public.
A water tank outside her house to collect water as well as electricity has been supplied by the wind farms outside Jefferys Bay free of charge.
Adoptions are another way to secure much needed funds with cats adoption fees R350 and dogs R450 which includes first inoculations and sterilisations.
Although Spamer lives in a residential area and houses nearly 100 animals on her premises she has the necessary documentation and permission from the municipality.
Animal Anti-Cruelty League spokeswoman Linda-Louise Swain said the dog control unit is aware of Spamer’s work and “she (Spamer) has the necessary permission”.
For readers interested in volunteering or adopting e-mail Magda Spamer at catskittens10@ gmail.com or call 079-906-8635.
Home converted into safe haven for animals
One room for kittens, another puppies, with each room set up for a specific age range.
Every room is scattered with food and water bowls, toys and beds – because one Port Elizabeth woman can’t bare to see any animal without a home.
There are now nearly 70 cats and almost 20 dogs crammed into Magda Spamer’s home.
Spamer, 45, from Sydenham has had a passion for the welfare of animals since her brother gave her two cats to look after when she was 17. “I was asked to look after them. They lived to be 18 years old.
“It was then that I developed a bond with animals,” said Spamer.
Choosing the single life after her fiancé died in an accidental shooting incident while working as a reservist, Spamer said she had no regrets and wouldn’t change a thing.
“For two years I didn’t want human contact.
“I preferred the comfort given by animals learnt to stand up for the animals. I chose not to have a husband – as long as the animals are happy, I am happy,” she said.
Spamer inherited her house when her parents passed away and for the past 15 years has been taking in strays, abandoned or dumped animals.
Recently she revamped the premises to include a fully equipped and enclosed cattery for her resident cats who share the space with others who have been dumped at her gate or thrown over her wall.
“It is heart breaking to deal with some of these cases.
“People even dump gravely ill or dead animals at my door,” said Spamer.
According to Spamer other times people bring animals in claiming that they are strays or “not theirs” but as soon as the person leaves the animal, usually a dog pines for the owner.
Working closely with the Animal Anti-Cruelty League and other animal organisations Spamer helps to rehabilitate, train and re-home most of the animals but sometimes the inevitable happens and on occasion some of the animals have to be put down.
Living alone with the animals Spamer said she barely has time to herself between cleaning up and feeding the animals but says it is all worth it when an animal finds a good home.
Spamer relies mainly on donations and sponsorships given by the various animal organisations she works closely with and sometimes from the public.
A water tank outside her house to collect water as well as electricity has been supplied by the wind farms outside Jefferys Bay free of charge.
Adoptions are another way to secure much needed funds with cats adoption fees R350 and dogs R450 which includes first inoculations and sterilisations.
Although Spamer lives in a residential area and houses nearly 100 animals on her premises she has the necessary documentation and permission from the municipality.
Animal Anti-Cruelty League spokeswoman Linda-Louise Swain said the dog control unit is aware of Spamer’s work and “she (Spamer) has the necessary permission”.
For readers interested in volunteering or adopting e-mail Magda Spamer at catskittens10@ gmail.com or call 079-906-8635.
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