The Animal Welfare Society of SA is in desperate need of blankets. Blankets have excessive wear and tear in animal shelters and with the cold winter we are currently facing, the animals need warmth too.
An average lifespan of a good quality fleece blanket is one winter. By the time winter is over, it is usually too thread-bare or too ripped to mend or reuse, so a replacement is the only option.
Over the period April 1 to December 31 2020 (9 months), the Animal Welfare Society cared for 2 707 hospital in-patients. That is an average of 301 animals per month. The shelter also sterilised just over 2 000 cats and dogs all of who needed to be hospitalised overnight.
During the same period, their kennel occupancy rate was around 75% or 60 animals. This is a huge number of pets that need to be kept safe and warm for long periods of time and this adds up to a good number of blankets being used, frequently washed and being replaced.
Another never-ending need is pet food. At the moment, the shelter is feeding 1 ton of mixed wet and dry dog food every month. Keeping the cupboards full while providing generous donations to neighbouring indigent communities is a constant preoccupation.
To help mitigate their operating deficit, the Animal Welfare shelter has a small thrift and tuck-shop that is always on the lookout for donated goods. This time of year increases the demand for winter clothing and footwear, along with pots, pans and crockery.
A kind donation of money would be highly appreciated too. The busy inspectors who are saving dogs, cats or any abandoned pet, uses a whole tank of petrol a week. That is approximately R52 000 per annum, per vehicle on fuel alone. Added cost involves, insurance, servicing, repairs and tyres and the annual outlay to keep an inspector on the road is massive.
The Animal Welfare Society of SA has been in existence for over 90 years and have never refused any animal treatment. “For us, money is never the overriding consideration. The animals always come first”, says the Animal Welfare Society.
The shelter is situated in the heart of the Cape Flats home to thousands of indigent families who see them as a beacon of hope. The vast majority of this impoverished community love and adore their pets, but cannot always afford to pay for their veterinary care.
“Many pet owners cannot even afford a co-contribution of R10.00 leaving us (our donors) to make up the shortfall.”
“I don’t want to harp on the impact that Covid-19 has had on these families. For many, it has meant financial ruin and loss of everything that they hold near and dear to their hearts – for some including their beloved pets.”
“There is no such thing as a small donation. We cherish all of our donors. We do not receive any financial support from the government resulting in us being almost entirely dependent on the goodwill and generosity of donors.”
“At the beginning of 2020, none of us could have imagined the year that would come to be. In some ways 2020 has devastated us, in others, it has galvanised us. But one thing remained abundantly clear – none of what we have accomplished over the recent tumultuous past could have happened without the help of our donors and supporters and we hope that we can count on your readers getting behind us in even greater numbers”, concludes the Animal Welfare Society.
The Animal Welfare Society are a registered PBO and are able to issue Section 18(A) Tax Certificates for all donations.
https://www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/animalwelfaresocietyofsouthafrica
Debit Order URL
SnapScan Badge
Banking Details:
Nedbank Current Account
Account Number: 114 822 258 8
Branch Code: 19 87 65
Drop off points:
Animal Welfare Society of SA Hospital Philippi
Forest Drive Veterinary Surgery Pinelands
Hart Nursery Ottery
Little Orchard Nursery Diep River
Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital Newlands
Collections can be arranged.
Picture/s: Supplied