Tom Jones licks his lips as Patrick Lupuzi arrives with his food. He earned his name because of his loud cries whenever it's feeding time. Images: Shelley Christians/UWC

Patrick Lupuzi walks across campus, making a distinct clicking sound. Within moments, cats emerge from beneath parked cars and from the shelter of shrubs to greet him. He offers them wet cat food to draw them closer so he can check on them and give them affection. Some are content with gentle grooming, while others eagerly wait for a scratch behind the ears.

About 113 feral cats call the University of the Western Cape (UWC) home, along with one dog named Meisiehond that wandered onto campus one day and never left. The UWC Feral Cat Project (TUFCAT) was founded in 1997 by Dr Sharyn Spicer and the late Andre Oppelt to ensure that the resident cats are fed daily and receive sterilisation, veterinary care and check-ups when needed.

During the project's first cat audit in 1997, there were close to 500 cats on campus. Through its trap-neuter-return (TNR) programme, the cat population has been stabilised and gradually reduced over the years.

Lupuzi made the kennel entrances smaller to keep Egyptian geese from stealing the cats' food.

The cats also give back to the campus by preventing potential rodent problems.

Lupuzi feeds the cats six days a week, starting at 6:20 am when the campus is still quiet. The early morning routine encourages the cats to emerge from their hiding places, giving him the chance to monitor their health and well-being.

As the cats are occupied eating their wet food, Lupuzi moves from bowl to bowl, wiping each one clean before replenishing dry food in selected bowls placed inside kennels. He also refreshes the water bowls in the 34 kennels scattered across campus. Some of the feeding stations are located as far as Unibell and Hector Pieterson Residence, making them among the furthest points on his daily route.

“I wasn't actually a cat person at first. I love dogs mostly. But as time went on, I've grown to love them,” said Lupuzi. He says looking after the cats is a huge stress reliever and something he enjoys immensely. “The way they look at me and wait for me to feed them, it's actually quite an experience.”

• TUFCAT receives support through donations and the sale of second-hand books. The project is also listed on the Woolworths app, where supporters can select The UWC Feral Cat Project/TUFCAT as their "My Cause". A portion of shoppers’ purchases made using the MyDifference card is then donated to the project. For more information on how to support TUFCAT, visit www.tufcat.co.za.