A very special place, in honour of a very special woman, is opening at the Bloemfontein SPCA in March. It’s going to help hundreds of kitties and bring comfort to many people, too.
Gauteng, South Africa (20 February 2026) – On 6 March, what would have been Marnelle Van Rooyen’s birthday, the Bloemfontein SPCA will officially open the doors to Marnelle’s Catio, a play and social space for cats and kittens waiting for adoption.
March is also World Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, an appropriate time to honour Marnelle’s life and the brave battle she fought with cancer, as well as raise awareness around the importance of cancer screening.
Marnelle was a psychologist, artist and devoted animal-lover who battled stage four bowel cancer for a decade before she passed away on 15 July 2025. Throughout her illness, cats were always her favourite.
“She loved all animals, but cats were her constant companions throughout numerous rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries and finally, her death bed,” her friend Angie Vorster shared when launching the project.
Marnelle had long dreamt of starting an NGO to house feral and rescue cats and help them find loving homes. She became too ill for that dream to take shape, but before she passed, Angie made a promise.
“When I had the privilege of greeting her for the last time, I promised to create a space to commemorate her in a way that would be truest to her spirit. Which is a space for cats in need of a home.”
That promise has now come to life with Marnelle’s Catio.
“The goal was to raise R60, 000 to build a large catio at the Bloemfontein SPCA where cats and kittens can spend time in a home-like environment with visitors in order to help socialise them and make their chances at adoption that much better. Also to give people a space where they can come and spend time with cats and kittens whenever they feel the need – especially the elderly and students,” shares Angie.
The project quickly took shape after Marnelle’s passing and blossomed into something she would be so proud of.
The community’s support was absolutely incredible. When they heard about the cause, businesses offered discounted labour. Community members donated furniture, scratching posts, toys and even bunting and dreamcatchers to decorate the space. Friends and strangers gave what they could.
Now, the catio is almost ready for launch on March 6th.
“There won’t be a grand opening – because we want this project to be more than a building, it must serve the community, our animals and create an ongoing source of fund raising and support for the excellent work our SPCA does,” Angie shares.
Marnelle’s Catio will encourage continued adoptions by allowing the public to visit and bond with the animals. It will also create support for the SPCA’s work caring for roughly 150 cats and kittens who pass through their doors each month.
“In the end this project, as with all things related to Marnelle’s life, is about something greater than her. It is about the power of love to keep changing the world even after death. Let’s prove that cancer can be transformed into something healing and good.” shares Angie.
It’s a wonderful way to honour a woman who cared deeply about animals in a way that will also create real support for hundreds of cats and kittens – all of which Marnelle would surely adore.
Pop in at the Bloemfontein SPCA and ask to spend some time with cats and kittens in the catio any day from 6 March 2026. Share and tag if you do!
“It has been astounding to see how much positivity and hope this project has engendered in so many people – and it has been incredible to see the good in people. Faith in humanity restored.” shares Angie.
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