Tigger, the cat, and Jenny make a formidable team. Together, they’re the heart of the Gingerbread Club—a dedicated non-profit that cares for the most vulnerable kittens that often fall through the cracks in rescue land! This is their story:
Cape Town, South Africa (21 January 2025) — There’s a special place where kindness and kittens meet, and its name is The Gingerbread Club. A haven for the most vulnerable kittens, The Gingerbread Club looks out for the tiniest felines who need the most care. The ones that require timely monitoring. And the ones who need unwavering attention that full-to-the-brim shelters simply can’t always spare. These spaces are where the Gingerbread Club lovingly builds bridges from hopeless to happy endings. And it all began with a cat named Tigger.
As founder Jenny Pan tells Good Things Guy, it was Tigger who essentially took on the first kitten rescue.
“I founded The Gingerbread Club (GBC) under quite unique circumstances. Inspired by my soul cat, Tigger, our journey into kitten rescue began unexpectedly at the end of 2023 when we came across a little orphaned kitten named Gus. Tigger immediately took on the role of Gus’s guardian: grooming him, teaching to play, love, and trust, and even provided Gus with comfort by allowing Gus to suckle on him,” Jenny shares; adding that Tigger is a male cat, which made the extent he was willing to go to, to provide comfort for the young orphan quite remarkable.
“Seeing Tigger’s instinctive kindness and protective nature showed me the profound impact that compassion and companionship could have on lost and vulnerable kittens,” Jenny says.
It was there, on the foundations of the kindest cat’s gestures, that she founded The Gingerbread Club!
Jenny and Tigger are the heart of the non-profit.
“Our mission goes beyond rescue, it’s about showing the depth of personality, affection, and individuality cats possess. Because Tigger isn’t just a cat; he’s a testament to the emotional and intelligent nature of felines,” Jenny explains.
“Our approach is straightforward: provide love, safety, and care to kittens who have nowhere else to turn, to ensure that these kittens not only survive, but thrive through personal attention and socialisation.”
Here’s What the Gingerbread Club Are All About:
Because Neonates and bottle babies are very vulnerable rescues who have nowhere to go due to the intensive care they require, the Gingerbread Club offers a nest of hope for these little lives.
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“The Gingerbread Club specialises in the care of these fragile kittens, providing round-the-clock feeding, health checks, and essential early socialisation to prepare them for loving forever homes. Each kitten receives care tailored to their unique personality, helping them grow into confident, affectionate companions,” says Jenny.
When the kittens are raised with this degree of care, they are then put on a path of nurturing that will help them thrive in their forever homes!
A recent good news story surrounds the Tea Litter—of kittens named who all got their happy ending thanks to The Gingerbread Club.
As told by Jenny,
“Our Tea Litter’s story began on the very first day of their life—tiny, vulnerable kittens with their umbilical cords still attached, were found without their mother. Their mother was feral, and had been spooked away, leaving her newborns in dire need of warmth and care.”
“Kittens this young cannot be left alone without a heat source or food, so they came into the care of The GBC and another organisation arranged to trap mom so that she could get sterilised.
“Caring for day-old kittens presents immense challenges. Without their mother, the chances of them surviving are extremely low, as newborns like these require intensive care, including constant warmth, frequent feeding, and regular health monitoring. We were all too aware of the slim chances they faced, but determined to give them every opportunity to thrive.
“The road to health wasn’t easy. The litter battled through snuffles and persistent gastrointestinal issues. Yet, with relentless dedication and care, they fought through it all. Each kitten not only survived but flourished. Today, they are thriving in their forever homes, each reflecting the love and resilience that carried them through.”
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How to Support The Gingerbread Club
Item Donations: Any cat toys, towers, beds, or blankets can be dropped off at the designated collection point at Belvedere Square Vetshop in Claremont, Cape Town.
Takealot Wishlist: The non-profit will greatly appreciate essentials like cat toys, towers, and cosy blankets, which you can find here.
Foster Homes: “We are always in need of foster homes,” says Jenny.
Those who have space in their homes and hearts can be a part of fostering a beautiful future for kittens. Find the application form here!
Monetary Donations can be made via EFT:
- Bank: Capitec Business
- Name: The Gingerbread Club
- Type: Current Account
- Account Number: 1052320651
- Branch Code: 450105
- SWIFT Address: CABLZAJJ
Or, via Snapscan.
You can keep up with the Club and potentially spot your next feline family member via their social media.
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