Please note that all IMAGES on this website are COPYRIGHTED.

For the last few years we have been involved with caring for the smaller african wild cat species in captivity.  Our love of working with these animals has led us to expand our interest in this field. 

We have now established a NON  PROFIT  TRUST to run the affairs of the cats and to facilitate fund raising efforts.  The trust is called the CAT CONSERVATION TRUST.  The patrons of the trust are Dr M Pfleiderer and Dr K Robertson. The founding trustees are Richard & Marion Holmes.  Additional trustees are Mr Philip Gerber and Mr Lalase Maso (awaiting appointment). 

We have been granted public benefit organization status (PBO) by the Receiver of Revenue. This means that any donations made to the trust are exempt from donations tax.  Any bequests made to the trust are also exempt from estate duty.

Coming soon - we have registered a domain and will soon be moving to our own website.  The new address will be www.karoocats.org.  Further details soon.

We now have the stunning postcards available which feature these cat species. 

Our 2008 desk calendars featuring the 4 smaller cat species have arrived. To view a sample please go to http://www.catsforafrica.co.za/_mgxroot/page_10764.html

To place an order email info@karoocats.org.

Should you be able to assist in our fundraising or would like to participate in our ADOPT -A -CAT programme, please contact us for details.

To find out more about our volunteer work, please follow this hyperlink.

For other conservation sites we are linked to follow this hyperlink.

These cats are naturally nocturnal and extremely shy. The chances of seeing them in the wild are very slim.  Watching these animals is more exciting than seeing  the big 5 ! 

So come  and get a guaranteed look & photograph of these rare wild cats of Africa !!

Caring for these animals in captivity requires special knowledge and unusual care.  Their natural environment has to be mimicked which includes mental and physical stimulation.  No experiments are conducted on these animals what-so-ever.

Please note that all IMAGES on this website are COPYRIGHTED.

                      The  species composition to view will vary from time to time.

Please note:  Visiting times to the cats are ONLY early mornings and late afternoons.

                              Summer months:  0600 to 0900 

                                                                                 and 

                                                                             1700 to 1830

                             Winter months:  0800 to 0930 

                                                                                and 

                                                                          1600 to 1700

SMALL SPOTTED CAT (previously called the BLACK FOOTED CAT)

        The afrikaans name for this cat translates to  

                                        ANTHILL  TIGER!

         This beautiful cat is very shy , small and is a ferocious killer of its prey.

photograph with the kind permission of Cathy Robertson, wildlife artist and photographer.

NEWSFLASH!!!

 Nina gave birth on the 11 Feb 06 and Sonja gave birth on 21 Oct 06 and again on 20 Feb 07.

These 2 photographs are with the kind permission of Dr Alexander Sliwa (IUCN cat specialist) who recently visited us.

 

This photograph of Amani with the kind permission of Claire Fulton

For more detailed information on this very shy species, please visit All about the Black-footed Cat

AFRICAN WILD CAT

This cat is not that shy. 

The ancestor to the domestic cat.  Interbreeding with the  domestic (house) cat has caused a severe decline of pure African wild cats  BUT come see the real thing, the pure  version !

NEWS  FLASH !!!!

Cleo, the other female, gave birth on 02 September  06. 

Dani and her kittens

photograph with the kind permission of Dr Mircea Pfleiderer, Karoo Cat Research (member of IUCN cat specialist group as well as PAAZAB)

Photograph  with the kind permission of Dr Alexander Sliwa (IUCN cat specialist) who recently visited us.

SERVAL

       This is the tallest of  Africa's small cats with  long elegant legs and very strikingly beautiful . It has the amazing habit of jumping high to pounce on concealed prey. 

 male serval - Arno

photograph with the kind permission of Dr Mircea Pfleiderer, Karoo Cat Research (member of IUCN cat specialist group as well as PAAZAB)

CARACAL

         This medium size , powerful cat has a striking face that is dominated by the long tufted ears.  It can leap very high to catch bird prey.  Unfortunately it is persecuted by livestock farmers because,  when there is a lack of natural food, it will take livestock.

         Photograph  with the kind permission of Dr Alexander Sliwa (IUCN cat specialist) who recently visited us.

Please note that all IMAGES on this website are COPYRIGHTED.