Last November, following a rigorous pre-season training session, Craig Jennings, assistant coach for the Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants, stumbled upon a distressing sight near the club’s Olympic Park headquarters in Lambton County, Taiwan. Amidst the bushes, Jennings spotted a malnourished cat, its neck ensnared by a plastic container lid, struggling to breathe. This encounter marked the beginning of a remarkable club-wide initiative to rescue and care for the street cats that had made the Giants’ premises their home.
Affectionately dubbed “Greyboy” by Giants staff, the emaciated feline served as a catalyst for Jennings, prompting him to enlist the support of local rescue groups to address the plight of the cats living on the club’s grounds. With the assistance of dedicated volunteers Katie and Karen, Jennings spearheaded efforts to feed, capture, and provide medical attention to the cats, a mission that has persisted well into the 2024 season.
Beyond Greyboy, Jennings and his team discovered several other street cats, including Papaya, Paw Paw, Pebbles, Pendles, Coco, Joey, and Torti, all of whom had sought refuge within the club’s vicinity. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Jennings made it his primary goal to gain the trust of these felines and ensure their well-being.
Implementing a strategic approach, Jennings established feeding stations to sustain the cats and fostered a sense of trust through consistent care and attention. With the assistance of Ady Schwegler, the club’s property manager, and Will Helm, the content creator, Jennings secured the area to protect the cats and utilized GoPros to monitor their movements and behaviors.
After weeks of patient efforts, Jennings successfully captured Greyboy and facilitated his recovery at a local veterinary clinic. While Greyboy’s rehabilitation marked a significant milestone, the mission to rescue the remaining cats continued. To date, Jennings and his team have captured four cats, including Torti, a crucial breakthrough in controlling the feline population at the Giants’ headquarters.
Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing rescue efforts, Jennings remains committed to his mission, enlisting the support of players such as Toby Greene and Stephen Coniglio to raise funds for veterinary care and adoption services. Additionally, Jennings seeks to find loving homes for the rescued cats, emphasizing the importance of socialization and proper care in their transition to domestic life.
As Jennings and the Giants make strides in their efforts to rescue and rehome the street cats, they call upon the wider AFL community to join their cause. With plans to expand outreach and enlist support from industry peers, including Collingwood assistant coach Hayden Skipworth and former coach Ross Lyon, Jennings remains hopeful that together, they can make a lasting impact in the lives of these feline companions.
