A couple removed parts of their ceiling and broke open walls in their home to rescue five stray kittens. Then, their community paid back the kindness. Do good things, and good things will come back your way!
Cape Town, South Africa (12 November 2025) – It started with faint meows coming from the ceiling.
Louise and Enrico Hanslo, who live in Westlake, couldn’t quite believe it at first. They don’t have pets, but there it was again. The sound of tiny cries coming from somewhere above them.
When they climbed up to check, they discovered that a cat had given birth in the roof space. The kittens were trapped, their mom nowhere in sight.
Without even having to think twice, the couple went into rescue mode.
Enrico carefully removed sections of the ceiling until he reached the newborns and managed to rescue three. But the meowing didn’t stop. There were still more cries, this time coming from inside the walls…
Not sure what else to do, the Hanslos phoned Fur-Get-Me-Knot, a local animal outreach organisation that helps care for pets and strays in the area. Founder Julie Marzio was too far away to come immediately, so she called in backup from another local rescue group, Aid 4 Animals in Distress (Aid4Aid).
“Our biggest concern at the time was the kittens trapped between the walls,” said Grant O’Neill, Chairperson of Aid4Aid. “Getting them to safety was going to require making some holes in the walls.”
While Grant was likely thinking of gentle ways to break the news to the couple. ‘Hey, we need to make some holes in your house…’ Enrico already beat him to it.
Before rescuers could even arrive, he had broken through two walls himself and managed to get the last two kittens out safely. All five were finally together.
A couple, who do not even have pets, went above and beyond to save the kitties in distress. The damage they had to make to their home to safely reach them didn’t matter – that was a ‘later’ problem.
Thankfully, their Westlake community was more than willing to pay them back in compassion.
Aid4Aid started a fundraising drive to help the Hanslos repair their damaged roof and walls.
“It was the least we could do after the Hanslos willingly damaged their own home to save those tiny lives,” shared Leanne Gericke, Vice-Chairperson of Aid4Aid, who was also on the scene.
With the support of a local ward councillor, Carolynne Franklin, a call for donations went out on community platforms. Within just 48 hours, the target was met and then exceeded.
“There are moments when the stars align and compassionate, engaged people show themselves,” said Franklin. “This happened a week or so ago when one of the communication platforms of the incredible Ward71 community came alive with this call to action. The outcomes are beyond one’s wildest expectations as once again we work hand in hand to show the world how we can make progress possible, together. I am a very proud ward councillor!”
When the donations overflowed, the extra funds were given to Fur-Get-Me-Knot to help feed, vaccinate and care for other animals in Westlake.
“These funds will go a long way in helping us continue our efforts to feed, vaccinate, deworm and care for the animals in the community,” said Marzio.
The story came full circle when the kittens, now safe and in foster care, were brought back to visit their rescuers.
This is when the kind couple also learned about the community’s efforts to fix their home.
“We were completely surprised by the generosity and support of the community,” said Louise Hanslo. “We have no words to describe our gratitude. We’re just happy the kittens were saved and that we could be part of their story,” says the Hanslos.
by 