Union Tiles Bedfordview has been shocked by allegations of animal cruelty which recently surfaced online and have since denied all allegations.<\/p>\n
These allegations were first shared via a broadcast message on WhatsApp.<\/p>
In the message Union Tiles, situated on North Reef Road, Germiston, is accused of killing feral cats living on their property.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe allegations that we are killing cats are grossly unfair and related to unverified facts,\u201d said Llewellyn Oliver, brand connection specialist for Union Tiles.<\/p>\n
He said the company is not killing the animals, but rather humanely trapping them with cat traps from the Bedfordview and Germiston SPCA.<\/p>\n
Oliver said there are about 150 to 200 feral cats on their premises and two feeding stations that they know of.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe water supply and food sources are the reasons why these cats are still on our premises.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are concerned about the number of cats the SPCA can take in,\u201d said Oliver.<\/p>\n ALSO READ:\u00a0\u2018Take me home\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n How the trap works:<\/p>\n A cat trap is a rectangle shaped cage with a door and is equipped with a trip plate.<\/p>\n When a cat enters the trap and walks to the back to get the bait, which has been placed behind the trap, they will walk over the trip plate which will cause the cage door to close.<\/p>\n The company also cover the cats so they do not get traumatised.<\/p>\n Oliver said by using this trapping method the cats do not get harmed in any way.<\/p>\n \u201cThe factory is not a safe place, especially for cats,\u201d said Oliver.<\/p>\n \u201cOften times the cats would get in the wooden pallet structures and the structures would fall on them, injuring quite a number of them and leading to fatalities,\u201d said Oliver.<\/p>\n ALSO READ:\u00a0How does an SPCA adoption work?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Jeremy Jeffrey, Bedfordview and Germiston SPCA acting manager, said the allegations against the company are unfounded and confirmed that they are working with Union Tiles to ensure the safety of the feral cats on their premises.<\/p>\n Jeffrey said the SPCA has also joined hands with Angie Eatwell from the South African Feral Foundation (SAFE) on this pressing issue.<\/p>\n \u201cFeral cats are undomesticated cats regularly found in industrial areas close to water and food sources,\u201d said Eatwell.<\/p>\n \u201cFeral cats are routine-based animals.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat needs to be done is a simple TNR procedure,\u201d said Eatwell.<\/p>\n The TNR procedure is when cats are trapped, neutered and returned to their familiar environment.<\/p>\n According to Angie, the Union Tile environment is unsafe for feral cats and the feeding stations need to be placed outside of danger zones on the premises.<\/p>\n ALSO READ:\u00a0Helpful tips when travelling with your pets<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Angie added once the cats are sterilised cross-contamination with other animals found on Union Tiles premises will minimise.<\/p>\n The SPCA, SAFE, Anti-Animal Cruelty League and Edenvale Ferals and Union Tiles are working together to carry out a mass TNR procedure, which is scheduled for April.<\/p>\n Union Tiles director Vincent Ghisleni said Union Tiles is a family business with family values and that they donate to the SPCA.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are prepared to donate for every cat taken to the SPCA.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will pay for the cat to be neutered and for food for the first month,\u201d said Ghisleni.<\/p>\n The SPCA, SAFE, Anti-Animal Cruelty League and Edenvale Ferals are appealing to the community at large for donations in the form of cat food and feeders which cats can eat from.<\/p>\n To donate or for more information on how to donate call the SPCA on 011 825 5033.<\/p>\n Several attempts were made by the Germiston City News and sister newspaper Bedfordview and Edenvale NEWS to obtain comment from the accusers, on record, but none was received.<\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2019\/03\/12GCNGENERALCATZ_38935-520x390.jpg\")
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