Drakenstein Animal Rescue (DAR) this month celebrates 10 years of selfless service to the neglected domestic pet population of the valley.
In 2013 a group of concerned and like-minded people got together to discuss the idea of creating an animal-rescue organisation that would be privately run and not governed by unnecessary rules and regulations, but still working within the legal parameters.
The thought at the time was that the organisation would be pro-life and pro-sterilisation with an emphasis on finding suitable homes for rescued animals.
This would include the establishment of a network of foster homes acting as “halfway” houses for animals in need as well as involving people in different areas to assist with identifying animals in distress.
An important element of the organisation would be education through the sharing of information regarding sterilisation, micro-chipping and identifying and controlling of diseases.
The organisation has established strong links with all existing animal-welfare organisations and groups as well as veterinary practitioners in Paarl and Wellington.
A key message also of DAR is that they strongly promote the adoption of animals instead of buying from breeders.
Now then years later with a small band of volunteers, they have achieved much!
“We have been able to realise most of our goals and, although it may not sound like much, we have arranged and paid for the sterilisation of almost 1 500 animals over the past 10 years,” said one of the directors, Cheryl van der Walt.
“Through our foster and rehoming efforts we have rehomed almost 300 animals. This was achieved by a small group of dedicated individuals. We are responsible for the sourcing our own funds and do so through various initiatives such as book sales, raffles and donations.
“We carry the cost of medical care for all animals from needy areas and since the cost of veterinary care is very high, we are always in need of more funds.”
But, said Van der Walt, DAR needs to do a lot more and calls on the public to get involved and help it fulfil its aims and objectives.
How the public can help:
. Assist with fostering. Donate pet food and medicine. Donate your time. Spread the word – adopt, don’t shop. Donations
DAR is a registered PBO and as such cash donations could be tax deductible.
Please contact us at info@drakensteinanimalrescue.co.za for more information and to donate.
Visit the organisation’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DrakensteinAnimalRescue and follow it on Instagram. “Saving one animal will not change the world, but for that one animal it will change their world forever.”
