For over seven decades the Animal Welfare Society (AWS) Helderberg has provided veterinary services for needy animals and their owners in Somerset West, Strand and Gordon’s Bay.
The organisation also currently operates daily mobile clinics in Macassar, Nomzamo, Tarentaal Plaas (Broadlands Village), Sir Lowry’s Pass, Grabouw and Eerste River.
Our core mandate is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome abandoned or unwanted animals, reunite lost pets with their owners and treat animals whose indigent owners cannot afford private vet fees. Although our focus is mainly on domestic pets, we also take in indigenous reptiles, birds, marine life and wild mammals. These are given emergency treatment and passed on to Nature Conservation or other relevant rescue organisations.
Notwithstanding our limited human and financial resources, we try to educate owners, particularly children, in optimal pet care and management through talks to school groups and engagement with other community organisations.
Education is vital to changing mindset and often ingrained misinformation.
Our daily mobile clinic offers primary care to needy animals whose owners cannot bring them to the clinic. Sick and injured animals are taken for treatment and, if not claimed, for placement in approved homes. Our staff respond to emergency calls and rescue animals in distress daily. This service continues after hours in conjunction with sister animal welfare agencies like the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
Our charity shop, the Jumble Inn, is wholly dependent on donations of second-hand as well as new and unwanted goods. It provides a welcome source of income towards the enormous expenses involved in running the work of the AWS. We accept clothing, household goods, books, jewellery, paintings, linen, appliances, bric-a-brac and valuable antiques for our varied clientele – from bargain hunters to collectors.
We have a fully-fledged hospital with a full-time veterinary surgeon and vet nurse at the kennels and our walk-in clinic handles an average of 30 consultations daily. The hospital can cope with most surgical procedures and the clinical treatment for serious diseases like parvovirus.
Unfortunately many pet owners can’t or won’t pay veterinary costs, which leaves the AWS with ongoing heavy medical bills.
We also partner with private veterinarians who offer reduced rates, but we are often unable to recover these costs from pet owners.
We also work closely with other rescue organisations in terms of mass sterilisation days. In times of crisis, such as floods and fires, we take in animals from other welfare societies or those rescued by members of the public.
From period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, 2 635 strays and surrenders (1 888 dogs and 747 cats) arrived at the AWS. In the same period, 263 dogs and 41 cats were reunited with their owners, and 554 dogs and 288 cats were adopted.
On the veterinary front during this period, 2 078 steralisations were done, 88 dental procedures were completed, 615 other “stitch-ups” were necessary, 12 orthopaedic cases were handled, and 116 surgeries were referred elsewhere.
A total of 2 909 vet cases were dealth with at AWS Helderberg, while 5 796 primary vaccinations were administered per mobile clinic.
We don’t believe in burdening other welfare organisations and take full responsibility for the care of all admissions. Unfortunately several so-called “no-kill” shelters refuse to accept animals so badly compromised that euthanasia is the only humane response and they inevitably end up with us – along with the costs and the enormous emotional burden for the staff involved in putting down animals.
As we receive no provincial or government funding, we are entirely dependent on the generosity of the public in the form of monetary donations, bequests, small grants-in-aid, our own fundraising and donations in kind to the Jumble Inn. In the current straitened economic circumstances, we would be deeply grateful for any assistance to ensure that our doors remain open.
To donate, contact the AWS head office in Somerset West on 021 852 2268, the kennels and clinic in Gordon’s Bay on 021 856 0597, email info@awshelderberg.co.za or visit www.awshelderberg.co.za.
