I need help feeding pakas (cats), in Voi Kenya. My annual fundraiser for the Voi pakas!

As many of you know, I am a cheetah conservation biologist in Tsavo. I move around a lot throughout the year, but there is one main accommodation where I stay, just west of Voi. The place is surrounded by a large field and many cats come here when they cannot find food. In August I brought a mother, two small kittens and an older kitten to Nairobi and with the help of a very kind cat rescuer, found them a foster with a nice French family. From there they have received their vaccinations etc. and those old enough were spayed (these were all females). They are being adopted to screened, loving 'forever homes".

Last year, another mother and her three kittens, who I rescued here, were also driven to also found homes. Thanks to a very generous and caring donor,(TNR Nairobi), and a skilled local veterinarian in Taita-Taveta, the neutering, spaying and vaccination costs had been covered and performed. The mother and her three kittens were neutered, spayed and vaccinated and are now in good 'forever homes' in Nairobi. One was adopted by the loving foster, who just couldn't let her go, and the other two together, to a nice family.

Sadly, during the previous year, another female perished from unknown (to me) causes while I was abroad. She was being fed and seemed healthy. I wish I knew what happened.

Reflux is usually stocked at a local supermarket in Voi. and cost 3,050.00 KES per 1.5 kg bag . As a conservationist, my sustenance stipend is a bit tight, and feeding the cats continuously adds up with time. It would help so much if I could even raise enough 'Reflux" or alternative brand funds for even six months' worth of their food (12 bags). Altogether, these three neutered adult cats, alone, go through two bags per month. That's around $46 per month, $550 per year.

I would also like to invest in a large cat carrier or spacious dog carrier , when I'm in Nairobi at the end of the month. These are a bit more expensive in Kenya, but I can probably find one for. under 20,000 KES ( $150). It's a long six- hour journey from Voi to Nairobi, so I require a strong secure kennel that is large enough for a small litter box, a mother and kittens or two adult pakas. I will also use the kennel as a cage for cats recovering here after surgery etc. (neuters, trapping for rescue, treatment). In July, I treated one of the cats, Becky, here for a dislodged thorn underneath her tongue. An excellent vet came, but without knowing what the inflammation which was preventing her from using her tongue to drink a and eat, he needed to sedate and ultimately anesthetize her. This would have been great to have here to keep the cats calm, contained and safe. Of course, for all of these purchases, I can provide links and receipts to whomever donates. I would use this for rescuing and transferring the cats to Nairobi for foster and adoption by responsible, caring expats

If any 'cat people' out there would like to help me "help them", the pakas and I would be more than grateful. That way, they can also continue to be fed and cared for, when I'm off the radar in Tsavo etc., for my project .>^..^< >^..^<

Thank you! ❤️