The causes of events like these are complex, in some cases negligence combined with ignorance, in others a lack of resources, in yet others a complete absence of common sense and sensitivity.

Whatever the causes, there is a significant problem when we see so many examples of this nature and their volume seems to be increasing, But we who work in animal welfare know this, we deal with it on a daily basis as we see so many animals being surrendered to shelters or abandoned. The death toll rises and we do not have the resources to stem the tide…

But we have another problem and it threatens the core of the society in which we live. A just society is one in which the civil liberties of all are defended equally, and the rule of law prevails to ensure this. Animal-loving people’s values are not being defended by our government. It does not matter that we are a minority. Democracy should be less about majority rule than about protecting the rights of minorities.

Fact is, the SAPS seem to be ignorant of the Animal Protection Act. We have had many reports where they seemed unaware of the laws as if they had never heard of the APA. In other cases, they simply refused to take down the particulars of the complainant, and follow-up is scarce if it ever happens. In addition, SAPS personnel have been known to walk straight past an animal which is clearly being neglected, as if it does not matter, since it is ‘only an animal’. We know the police are busy – after all, we have one of the highest crime rates in the world – but to argue that animal legislation should be ignored because there are more important issues is to say that we should ignore rape because there are less rapes than robberies. It’s an absurd argument. If you are a law enforcer, your job is to enforce all laws.

While the existing APA is a document in need of revision to make it more in line with modern thinking, it is still workable as legislation as long as someone is actually aware of it and proactively identifying and proceeding against perpetrators of crime against animals. Our immediate problem is not the revision of the APA, it is getting the SAPS to DO THEIR JOBS.

To this end, we have made a forum available so that you, the animal-loving public, can have your say – make suggestions, discuss issues, make resources available, introduce strategies that have worked elsewhere, but most importantly, do something to change the world our animals live in. At the forum, there is a link to a petition.

Animal Protection Act Forum

I do not normally support petitions, but in this case the issue is large enough in scope and urgent enough to warrant our participation. You will find the link to the petition both on our Facebook Group and at the Forum. You will also find a link in both places to the Animal Protection Act in pdf format. Here is the Facebook Group link:

Facebook Group

Please do not consider the petition to be the focal point of this campaign. Get involved, particularly if you are knowledgeable in the areas of the law and government. This will not be an overnight campaign, it is going to require commitment over a long period of time.

I will be involving people at certain stages of this campaign – people with specialist skills and knowledge who know how to get the attention of key personnel on government. If you believe you can add some value, contact me at derek@hopeful.ws.

A Light in their Darkness,

Derek

Hopeful Homeless

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<<Hi there,

Yesterday I was on my way to work when I passed an arab man dragging this poor beast with a piece of leather around her neck. Needless to say I stopped and managed to get the dog away from him. She is a soft natured creature who has endured 6 /7 years of hell and really needs a loving home.

I took her to the Pinelands Veterinary clinic as the Vet there is the deputy head of the Animal Anti-cruelty league. He said that she would probably need to be euthanized.

I had thought as much and was sad at the idea but understood that it may be the best thing for her. The kind vet said he would let me know what AACL decided. Anyway this morning I was driving along wondering what would have become of her when the vet called to say that they will try to rehabilitate her… YIPPEE

I am going to make a plan and visit over the weekend and take her some yummy food…now the thing is if she makes it and I am sending out positive energy that she does…she will need a loving home…

Please put feelers out and let me know if anyone is able to help!

Lots of love,

Bridget

Bridget Davidtsz

I hope this finds you all well! Maggie is doing very well and picking up weight beautifully. I vivited her on both Saturday and Sunday and she was happy to see me. Maggie is eating small meals 6-8 times a day and has the most beautiful little tummy developing. Her muscle structure leaves a lot to be desired and she has short walks every day to help build them up again..>>

Friday 19 Feb 2010:

I am sorry to be the bearer of bed news…Maggie has terrible hip-displasure. I thought this may be the case when I visited her last week. Unfortunately she battles to walk and is in great pain. Maggie was sent for X-Rays this Thursday which confirmed our fears. She was immediately put on tablets for the pain. I know about these (German Shepherd experience), they with long term use will cause kidney failure etc…not a good future for any beautiful being…

So with the Advice of June Woodman, the head of the Animal Welfare Society, I made the decision to let her be laid to rest. It will take place this afternoon after dinner and Gotfrey and Alicia will be with her. I could not go as I am useless at saying goodbye and would be a nightmare for the staff at AWS to deal with – their job is hard enough as it is.

Please will you circulate this email so that everyone who has been so kind and responded to her plea for help will be in the know.

I wish you all a safe and restful weekend. It has been wonderful to meet so many animal lovers…I though I was the only animal nut.

Take care,

Bridget

Bridget Davidtsz

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It’s a question I get often, and there are so many ways you can help that it’s truly easy to get involved. Every time you take action in even the smallest way, you add your efforts to those of others, and together we can start moving this mountain that is the domestic animal crisis:

1. Tell others about the Hopeful Initiative, whether by sending them to the Hopeful Intro page (http://hopeful.ws/intro) where they can get an understanding of what we do, or on Facebook by sharing the Hopeful Homeless group with your friends. In this way we expand the Hopeful Network, thereby increasing it’s potential…
2. Get the Animails in your email and send on the Lost/Found/Homeless animals on to your own personal network. Register for the Animails here: http://hopeful.ws/intro/networkerreg.htm
3. If you’re on Facebook, share one homeless animal from the Hopeful Homeless group with your Facebook friends every day.If your friends do the same, we get more people to see our orphans, Easily 10 000 people could see the animals every day, such is the power of social networking. If you’re not on Facebook, you should be, it’s a powerful networking environment. Type in Hopeful Homeless in the Facebook search at the top of the page.
4. Volunteer time at your local Shelter, or help a rescue worker in your area. The Hopeful Homers can all use an extra hand: http://hopeful.ws/homeless/misc.php?action=list All Moderators are Homers…
5. Educate people regarding the need for sterilisation of domestic animals. Get your local vet to commit to sterilising animals at reduced rates – it’s time many more vets came to the party. Tell your friends to sterlise their animals – don’t take no for an answer. Only teo type of people don’t sterilise – licensed breeders and fools. The largest contributing factor to the devastating euthanasia statistics is indiscriminate breeding.
6. Make your home a foster home. There is always a need for a ‘halfway house’ for our orphans, a place where they can get shelter and companionship while we’re trying to find them a home.Shelters are terrible places for animals to be…
7. Participate in the Hopeful Animal-Related Forum (http:hopeful.ws/arf). Add your knowledge and insight to an exisitng topic, or start a new one that is close to your heart., learn from others, respond and coordinate action alerts. Collaborate with others on particular ventures.
8. Become a Rescuer/Homer. Do your apprenticeship with an existing Homer (it’s not as easy as you might think) from the list in #4. Register here: http://hopeful.ws/homerreg.htm
9. Become a Hopeful Helper. If you have some extra time and a small resource base, there is much that you can do, whether online or offline, to make a difference. Here’s the registration link: http://hopeful.ws/intro/helperreg.htm
10. Become an Inspector. This enables you to make decisions and do things that ordinary people cannot, like confiscate animals that are in dire straits. The more qualified inspectors we have in the Network, the more we can act without having to wait for the police or anyone else… Contact me at derek@hopeful.ws and I will put forward a list of candidates.

Add your comments below if you would like to suggest more ways of making a difference in the lives of our animal friends…

A Light in their Darkness

Derek

Hopeful Homeless

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Once again Animal Welfare Inspector Jabu has come to the rescue of a dog, this time a little fox terrier that was found “buried alive”

On Sunday morning a man passing by a secluded area some where between SECUNDA and Standerton, heard a yelping noise, he looked around but could not see anything, and so continued on his way. On Monday morning when passing the same place he once again heard the noise. This time he stopped and located the source of the noise.

To his shock and horror he found a fox terrier type dog buried in a mound of earth, right up to ITS ears. Yip! just like when we where kids on the beach, Just the little head left sticking out. The big difference, this was a remote area and no one was supposed to find the dog.

The kind soul immediately contacted the SPCA’s emergency line and Jabu was on  the scene shortly afterwards. He and a colleague dug up the mound and freed the dog, who immediately made sure his tail end was clean before he followed his rescuer to the SPCA vehicle. Once Jabu got the dog to the bakkie he gave him  water – he drank and drank – about 2 liters non-stop.

“Lucky” is now safely at the SPCA kennels, none the worse for his ordeal.

How can you help – easy – If you hear any one talking about this incident let us know so that we can bring such a uncaring person to court and leave his/her fate to the residing magistrate.

Please contact the SPCA on 017 632 2654 or 082 222 1122 to report emergency situations like this one.

Congratulations Jabu, your fast action stopped cruelty in its tracks.

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1. Human Medications

For several years, human medications have been number one on the ASPCA’s list of common hazards, and 2009 was no exception. Last year, the ASPCA managed 45,816 calls involving prescription and over-the-counter drugs such as painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants and dietary supplements. Pets often snatch pill vials from counters and nightstands or gobble up medications accidentally dropped on the floor, so it’s essential to keep meds tucked away in hard-to-reach cabinets.

2. Insecticides

In our effort to battle home invasions by unwelcome pests, we often unwittingly put our furry friends at risk. In 2009, our toxicologists fielded 29,020 calls related to insecticides. One of the most common incidents involved the misuse of flea and tick products–such as applying the wrong topical treatment to the wrong species. Thus, it’s always important to talk to your pet’s veterinarian before beginning any flea and tick control program.

3. People Food

People food like grapes, raisins, avocado and products containing xylitol, like gum, can seriously disable our furry friends, and accounted for more than 17,453 cases in 2009. One of the worst offenders–chocolate–contains large amounts of methylxanthines, which, if ingested in significant amounts, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity, and in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures.

4. Plants

Common houseplants were the subject of 7,858 calls to APCC in 2009.
Varieties such as azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, lilies, kalanchoe and schefflera are often found in homes and can be harmful to pets.
Lilies are especially toxic to cats, and can cause life-threatening kidney failure even in small amounts.

5. Veterinary Medications

Even though veterinary medications are intended for pets, they’re often misapplied or improperly dispensed by well-meaning pet parents.
In 2009, the ASPCA managed 7,680 cases involving animal-related preparations such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heartworm preventatives, de-wormers, antibiotics, vaccines and nutritional supplements.

6. Rodenticides

Last year, the ASPCA received 6,639 calls about pets who had accidentally ingested rat and mouse poisons. Many baits used to attract rodents contain inactive ingredients that are attractive to pets as well. Depending on the type of rodenticide, ingestions can lead to potentially life-threatening problems for pets including bleeding, seizures or kidney damage.

7. Household Cleaners

Everybody knows that household cleaning supplies can be toxic to adults and children, but few take precautions to protect their pets from common agents such as bleaches, detergents and disinfectants.
Last year, the ASPCA received 4,143 calls related to household cleaners. These products, when inhaled by our furry friends, can cause serious gastrointestinal distress and irritation to the respiratory tract.

8. Heavy Metals

It’s not too much loud music that constitutes our next pet poison offender. Instead, it’s heavy metals such as lead, zinc and mercury, which accounted for 3,304 cases of pet poisonings in 2009. Lead is especially pernicious, and pets are exposed to it through many sources, including consumer products, paint chips, linoleum, and lead dust produced when surfaces in older homes are scraped or sanded.

9. Garden Products

It may keep your grass green, but certain types of fertilizer and garden products can cause problems for outdoor cats and dogs. Last year, the ASPCA fielded 2,329 calls related to fertilizer exposure, which can cause severe gastric upset and possibly gastrointestinal obstruction.

10. Chemical Hazards

In 2009, the ASPCA handled approximately 2,175 cases of pet exposure to chemical hazards. A category on the rise, chemical hazards–found in ethylene glycol antifreeze, paint thinner, drain cleaners and pool/spa chemicals–form a substantial danger to pets. Substances in this group can cause gastrointestinal upset, depression, respiratory difficulties and chemical burns.

Prevention is really key to avoiding accidental exposure, but if you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian.

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“Andre and I went to the SPCA Wellington as we often do to go donate some doggy biscuits, cat litter and rub some of the doggies. We then left to go to the rubbish dump to desperse of our rubbish when a man stopped us to ask if we had a knife. We wanted to know why, so he said come and look! He hopped into the bakkie with us and we proceeded to underneath the R44 bridge next to the railway line, where Andre and I discovered one of the MOST GRUESOME acts of cruelty that the word CRUEL CAN NOT DESCRIBE! Please read below, her story, I tried to put it in words but it’s so hard for me, I’m in shock too! The pictures will tell you her own story!

The terror and fear in this doggie is unexplainable! Andre cut her loose and gave her to me to hold, we could see some relief as she took another breath, and as he gave her to me, a train roared past OVER THE EXACT SPOT WHERE SHE WAS A MOMENT AGO! How many trains have gone over her before we found her, is hard to imagine as the trauma she must have faced feeling and seeing the train approach her and she couldn’t get away.

We rushed to Marketstreet Animal Hospital where she is presently with our great Vet’s Dr.Du Plessis and Dr.van Deventer and Assistant Nurse Adri, who dropped everything to help stabilise her.

She is a very strong, special girl!

She has to be stabilized for 2-3 days then Andries Venter, Chief Inspectorate of the Good Hope SPCA offered to do further medical remedial operations by their great team of Vets.

THANK YOU SO MUCH ANDRIES FOR THIS, FOR THE CHANCE TO GIVE HER LIFE AGAIN!

THANK YOU YEAL THAT WE COULD RUSH HER TO THE VET FOR TREATMENT BUT MOST OF ALL THANK YOU THAT WE CAN GIVE HER A CHANCE CAUSE SHE DESERVES IT!!!!

After her operation Andre and I will teach her to love and trust a human again. Then when she is healthy, she will show us who her previous owner is, even if it takes us months, we will find the perpetrator and Lucky Lucy will have her justice!

Richelle Graham

African Tails”

(Lucy had her operation yesterday and is well on the way to recovery, albeit with one leg less. Unfortunately, she lost her puppies…

African Tails is sending a HUGE thank you to everyone that has made a donation towards Lucy’s vet bills and rehabilitation. They will also be collecting funds for a reward for information about the person that did this to her. If you hear anything, contact contact@africantails.co.za

Lucy will be adopted by the lady that rescued her, thank you to everyone that has offered her a new home!)

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I received a call to say a horse was being led along our Provincial road. It had a rope round the neck and someone sitting in the back of a moving bakkie was holding on to the rope whilst some idiot was walking behind beating the light out of the horse. By the time I reached her she had walked about 2-3 Km but now for the really awful part.

This mare had in fact been in an accident on the night of the 14th January (eight days previously) and had sustained severe internal injuries and fractures to her jaw, knocked her teeth out and was still bleeding profusely from her mouth, her tongue swollen and bloody and just awash with flies. The bakkie which had a smashed windscreen and dent on the roof was the same one which had initially driven into her. The stench from this poor horse’s rotting flesh was simply awful. The owner of the horse is untraceable.

The driver says he not only reported the accident on Thursday evening to the police but he went back the next day to show them where the injured horse was (in a disused house at the bus depot about half a kilometer from Genadendal). He asked the police to contact us and he claims he went back 3 times. Obviously the horse had to be put out of her misery and awful suffering but I am now wanting to take on the SAP. I am absolutely sick and tired of the fact that they totally ignore the Animals Protection Act. In my experience they do not believe they have any responsibility to enforce any law relating to animals. They absolutely never inform us of any situation of cruelty / abuse and yet they must encounter many cases as they drive around.

Ann Andrews

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Democratic Alliance,

HOW DO MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES JUSTIFY AND EXCUSE THIS???

PLEASE EXPLAIN!

And just to ensure that all DA voters know how certain of the representatives of the DA feel about their stance on animal rights and animal welfare supporters, read below on what the DA thinks of you….

Dear Geordin

I am not about to enter in to a debate with someone who has a skewed and twisted sense of morality. I would however like to point out some facts to you and take this opportunity to ask some questions which as of yet have remained unanswered.

In terms of the DA and animal welfare, the facts are:

1.    On page 31 of “In Trust For The Nation” issued by the DA, it states and I quote: “The DA believes that each living creature has intrinsic value and is a sentient being”

2.     The DA has signed the Universal Declaration of Animal Welfare

3.    In the Western Cape, which is a DA lead province, the city has allowed various species to be killed. These include rats, cats, rabbits, fish, guinea fowl, deer, baboons, tahrs, ducks and there was even talk of the crows. They have done nothing to try and stop any of the killing (that I know of). Please do not even think about trying to put any of this on Cape Nature Conservation. CNC, the way I see it, serves as your conservation wing.

4.    Recently, the City of Cape Town issued a tender which calls baboon management, which includes the shooting of 4 male baboons a month. The issue of baboon management is outline in the attached – that whole saga also points conclusively to the fact that the DA does not value animal life. I have addressed the issue over and over with Mr. Bredell and the leader of the DA, asking on various occasions to meet, only to be ignored. In this particular case, the DA also blatantly ignored the constitutional rights of South Africans to the public participation process.

5.    In a meeting with animal rights activist to discuss various animal welfare issues, the mayor of Cape Town (Dan Plato) nodded off while one of the activists was talking to him. Petty to bring this up I know, but apparently the issues around animals are so unimportant and so boring that a member of your party nods off while these important issues are being discussed with him. Needless to say, nothing came of the meeting.

6.    A councilor of the DA violated the Animal Protection Act and gets a slap on the writst. Breaking a law is a criminal offense, yet a councilor facing criminal charges is viewed as a good councilor. In future, I would caution the DA to point fingers at ANC for employing people who blatantly ignores South African law.

7.    I have sat in meetings where a councilor made a snide and derogatory comment about activists who handed over a memorandum to oppose the killing of animals on Robben Island. The comment was “Sorry I am late, I had to receive a memorandum from those bloody bunnyhuggers”. In yet another meeting, when I mentioned that the animal welfare community is unhappy about the time frame on the second round of public participation on an animal by-law and the way a particular councilor dealt with their queries, I was told that “he has received a lot of abuse from the animal welfare people and is ready to quit. We would rather lose the vote of the animal community than lose one of our councilors” (a sentiment you seem to echo by keeping on Wood and losing the vote of animal lovers!). Another person in that same meeting proceeded to say “if only those animal people cared as much for the two legged animals as they do for the four legged animals”. This after the mentioned the conditions in the poorer communities in the townships. One thing the DA doesn’t seem to grasp is that animal rights and human rights are not mutually exclusive. Animal rights benefit human rights. Sadly, human rights don’t seem to benefit animal rights.

Further to these facts, I would like to ask you the following which I sincerely hope you have the decency to answer in non-polito speak:

1.    In the recent KZN bull killing ritual, where was the DA’s official statement condemning this act of torture?

2.    What has the DA done to try and end the suffering animals endure in battery farming?

3.    What has the DA done to try and end lethal predator control such as gin-traps, poison etc?

4.    What has the DA done to try and end the way in which calves are treated on dairy farms?

5.    What has the DA done to try and end the sales of animals in pet shops?

6.    What has the DA done to implement law which makes it compulsory to have all animals sterilized (except for the “effort” made in the City of Cape Town animal by-law)?

7.    What has the DA done to promote the sterilization of domestic animals in poorer communities where overpopulation of domestic animals is the breeding ground for crime and zoonotic diseases?

8.    What has the DA done to ban the use of animals for research in cosmetic industries and household products?

9.    What has the DA done to ban recreational hunting?

10.  What has the DA done to ban all fireworks? (Here I would like to point out the fact that when one activist tried to prevent a fireworks display from happening in an ecologically sensitive area, she was sent from pillar to post only to be accused in so many words that it was her fault that the display couldn’t be stopped!)

11.  What has the DA done to ban the use of animals in circuses?

If the DA is so committed to animal welfare, then surely you have addressed at least some of the above? Thus far I have not heard or seen anything the DA have done to alleviate the suffering of any animals in South Africa. Instead, you either gave the silent go ahead to have them killed off, or you stand by and look the other way when crimes against animals are committed. Does this sound like a party which believe that each living creature has intrinsic value and is a sentient being?

Let’s look at the facts of the Wood case:

1.    Whether the dog belonged to Caroline Wood or her husband is completely inconsequential. The dog was on a property which Caroline Wood lived on. The dog was in the backyard. There is no way that she did not carry any knowledge of this animals and this there is no way that she did not carry any knowledge that the dog was being starved and neglected. Hence, at the very least Caroline Wood was aware of the condition of the dog.

2.    The starvation and neglect of a dog is prohibited by the Animal Protection Act which is a law governing domestic animals in South Africa. The violation of the APA is the act of breaking the law. Breaking the law is a criminal act.  If Caroline Wood was, at the very least, aware of the condition of the dog, then she knew of a crime being committed and did nothing about it. It is our duty as South African citizens to prevent crime. Even more so, as a councilor, Caroline Wood should have done everything in her power to prevent a law from being broken. Her poor excuse that the dog didn’t want to eat is tragically ludicrous. Experts in animal welfare all conclude that the condition Lady was found in was due to long term systematic neglect and abuse. And regardless of how often Caroline Wood might have found herself at home or not (she’s a busy councilor), it is her duty to make sure that any animal in her household is looked after when she is away. If I go away on holiday, I make the necessary arrangements to ensure the safety and well being of any animal in my household. What would your reaction have been if this was a child on the Wood property that endured this kind of neglect? I would LOVE to know the answer to that question!

3.    Caroline Wood has criminal charges against her and is due in court. The DA, regardless of what the FLC found, is still employing someone with criminal charges pending.

4.    You mention mitigating evidence. Since this is information held by the government and is in public interest, I urge you to make your investigation, evidence and findings public.

5.    The DA charge Wood with bringing the party’s name in to ill repute – yet she still retains a position in this party. From where I am sitting, that makes precious little sense.

As the DA and the FLC made their decisions, so have the good citizens of South Africa. The party’s arrogance prevented them from facing one niggling little fact – we voted you in to power, and we can just as easily take it away from you. In Afrikaans they have a beautiful saying which goes “as jy nie wil hoor nie moet jy voel” (if you don’t want to listen, then you must feel).

You ask us to please reconsider withdrawing our vote and support from the DA. You have continued to ignore the voice of compassionate South African citizens. We will merely return the favour.

No regards whatsoever,

Nikki Botha

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Funda Nenja (which loosely translates to “learning with the dog”) is now at the stage of running simultaneous classes for young puppies, half grown puppies, beginner adult dogs, intermediate 1 and 2, and the highly coveted “advanced” class.

The highlight of 2009 was recently fielding our first demo team at a Pietermaritzburg school.   Our team of five youngsters and their dogs put on a polished display of obedience.   When one considers that these dogs were put in a car for the first time in their lives, travelled to a totally strange place, and then did their drill to an audience of several hundred schoolchildren with a public address system blaring in the background, their achievement was all the more remarkable.

We were all so proud of both the dogs and their unsophisticated young handlers who took it all in their stride.   Asked on that occasion what he has learned from Funda Nenja one of our young dog handlers replied, “I have learned that it is better to be kind to my dog and other animals. My dog now loves and trusts me and we both enjoy training together.”

The concept is not just about training township dogs.   It’s also about teaching dog owners about compassion, gentleness and care.   Education is given on animal welfare, the need for sterilization, humane handling of animals, as well as kind, gentle dog training methods.  In the puppy and beginner classes handlers learn to touch and stroke their dogs and to use their dog’s name.   They learn to overcome their fear of their dogs and they very rapidly develop amazing bonds as the dogs also learn to trust people and to enjoy the attention.

We work closely with uMngeni SPCA, which assists with the medical needs of the animals, and regular clinics are held where dogs are de-wormed, treated for fleas and ticks and identified for professional medical care. At our weekly training sessions we are invariably asked to contact the SPCA for animals in need which might otherwise not have been fortunate enough to be attended to at the SPCA clinic.

Every dog that takes part in the program is fitted with a collar and lead, and the handler is given 750 gm dog cubes to use as training treats for the forthcoming week.

As numbers have increased we find that our resources are severely stretched.    Supporters of this project can assist by sourcing or donating dog food, old or new collars and leads, de-wormers, flea and tick remedies. We also need more volunteers to assist on Friday afternoons. Dog training and handling experience would be an advantage, but is not essential as is some knowledge of isiZulu. Visitors are more than welcome.

Our wish list includes:

• Trailer to transport all the dog food and equipment each week
• Loudhailer
• Golf shirts, jeans and caps for the demo team
• Sponsorship of rabies inoculations for our volunteers ( R1000 each )
• Agility equipment

The ripple effect of this initiative is already manifesting itself in community involvement and enhanced awareness of the needs of animals leading to a more generally caring community. Youngsters who were previously indifferent to the dogs around them are now devoted to their animals.   Learning to care for an animal is a step towards becoming caring adults who could grow up to be future community leaders.

For further information please contact:

Adrienne Olivier at 083 636 0891 / 033 3306276 or adrienne.o@mweb.co.za

Financial donations would be much appreciated and can be deposited into the following bank account:

TDTI,

ABSA  Bank,

Howick,

Branch no 6097,

ac/no: 9233847317

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Our Saturday excursion into Helenvale was only the tip of the iceberg and this massive problem will have to be an ongoing project. Armed with masses of pets mince which I had cooked up and which proceeded to spill in my car, (hope nobody needs a lift for the next 3 weeks!), and all the supplies which we needed, we all headed into Helenvale.

Mike Kerr had very kindly put a team of 6 guys together, without whom Patsy and I could not have managed.  Our first stop was at a home we had identified,  where three dogs were being kept in a small, dark passage of a shebeen shack.  Years of rubbish and rubble had to be cleared before we could even begin.  Fortunately, this expert team went straight in and were soon surrounded by inquisitive locals, most of them well into the weekend festive spirit!  In no time they had cleared the area and constructed the fence, being cheered on and directed by many a vocal local!  The joy of these three dogs as they were released into a running area, small as it may seem to us, made it all worthwhile.  One large kennel, some extra food and proper collars later, we were just about to leave when Patsy noticed that there were other barks from further in the house.

On investigation we had two horrendous discoveries;  a beautitful brindle Bull Terrier, chainedon a shelf in the main shebeen room.  Worse was still to come.  Behind some of the customers,  we noticed a wooden box, the size of an old tea-chest, completely enclosed.  In this box we found this dog .

He had been in this cell for three months.  Basic food and water was obviously supplied.  His master is apparently in jail and the dog was being held for him.  Obviously we confiscated this beautiful dog.  He is very loving and was so thrilled to run around our centre.  This is one we will urgently need to home.  We have spoken to the owner of the Bull Terrier and Patsy went to see him again this morning.  The dog is in very good condition and we will help the owner to create an area where this dog can run and play.

By now, quite a crowd had gathered and we were able to supply de-worming tablets and petfood  to many of these people.  Our next stop was at the home of the two dogs whose photographs were in my initial appeal.

The brown dog was purported to be vicious, but we discovered it was only the short chain and lack of space that made the dog in any way aggressive.  As soon as we gave him a bowl of pets mince and a runner chain, some room to move and a kennel of his own, he was the happiest soul.  The conditions are not ideal, but at least we have improved their lot and taken the first step.

The painfully-thin white dog now also has room to move, joyously running up and down.  She was also given a new kennel and scoffed down two bowls of pets mince, with more to come the next day.  The owners two little daughters only play toys were bricks and stones.  Patsy had noticed this on a previous visit and she presented the girls with rag dolls. Hopefully, with education and follow-up, we will be able to help these youngsters  to share love with these dogs and create the bond, as it should be. A German Shepherd discovered new areas for the first time, as did the the two dogs whose front yard created quite a challenge to our “he-men”!  Solid stone was not easy to penetrate!  At this home, even one cheeky cat got stuck into the pets mince, literally grabbing it out of the dog’s bowl!

Two more quick inspections along the way allowed us to help another two dogs to experience a little more freedom and running space.  As soon as we have  more kennels, we will supply shelter for these two dogs as well, as they are currently without shelter.  We have one or two more kennels to collect, but if anyone still has that kennel in the back yard, while your precious child sleeps on your bed, please let us have this to create something better for these poor souls. So, all in all, we managed to physically help 12 dogs, while providing food for many others.  This is just the beginning and I hope to be able to get the municipality involved here as well, as the problem is extensive.

On behalf of all those who cannot speak for themselves, our grateful thanks for your continued support.  Please remember that Tea-chest and the two pups are in urgent need of homes. To Mike and his Team – we salute you and offer our humble thanks.

Kind regards

Linda-Louise and Patsy

Animal Anti-Cruelty League

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