Despite a terrifying fire breaking out just 150 meters from their cattery this week, every single cat and kitten at TEARS Animal Rescue is safe.
Cape Town, South Africa (22 March 2026) – The smell of smoke is a traumatic reminder for the TEARS Animal Rescue team, who only recently rebuilt their dog kennels after a devastating blaze. This week, history nearly repeated itself.
A fire broke out less than 150 metres from the organisation’s cattery on Thursday.
“The fire was less than 150 meters away close enough to feel the heat on your skin, to watch the sky darken and shift. Close enough to know this could change everything in a moment.” they wrote. “All we could think about were the cats and kittens… tiny lives who depend on us for safety, for comfort, for a second chance. In that moment, nothing else mattered. Our clinic and kennel team rushed to the cattery.”
The team were able to push back the flames before they got any closer, every cat and kitten was thankfully kept out of harm’s way.
Given that this isn’t the first time they’ve had to fight the blaze, TEARS is now putting together a Fire Relief Fund to improve their emergency response and evacuation capability.
“Help us build our Fire Relief Fund your donation give us backing to build and equip our team, respond faster, evacuate safely, and protect every life in our care.”
They’re also calling on cat-lovers to adopt.
“Be their spark of hope, adopt and give a cat or kitten a forever home, far from the flames.”
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Banjo's Best Life! Scruffy Pup Found in Bushes Gets Happiest New BeginningIf you want to do something tangible, TEARS is hosting a ‘kitten shower’ on 29 March. The cattery has been completely taken over by kitties needing forever homes. When you adopt one cat or kitten, the next one is on the house! More details here.
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