Langebaan Animal Care (LAC) has come a long way since its inception in 1995, and has proven itself as so much more than just another rescue shelter for homeless animals or ones that are victims of cruelty in Langebaan.
“We provide so much more – from fieldwork, weekly clinics, adoptions and fostering to education,” explained Tracy Rob of LAC, adding the shelter also supports feral cat colonies by “supplying food, trapping, sterilising and releasing the cats back into their colony.”
It is full of unwanted, abandoned and abused dogs and cats. “There are just too many animals in need,” according to Rob.
At present the shelter has a total of 171 rescues in their care – 83 dogs and puppies as well as 88 cats and kittens.
“Some of our adult long-stay dogs are still with us,” said Rob. “Open your hearts and make their day.” Odie and Minor, two of the adult long stay dogs, finally found their forever home recently, but Rascal, Spotty, Happy, Jagger and Ivy are still hopeful one furry-friend (that is, friend of furries) or family will take them in and shower them with love. Among the long-stay cats searching for a home are Misty, Hope, Jill, Jack, Diablo, Sophie, Dot and Shilo.
“Some good news is that we recently had a breakthrough, after much campaigning regarding our bylaws,” said Rob. “Our municipality has at last made a change to the law making sterilisation compulsory for dogs and cats at six months old.”
LAC’s monthly vet bills alone, inclusive of much needed sterilisations, are around R50 000 per month.
Other communities constantly request assistance in getting their pets sterilised.
The problem these communities face is they are unable to transport their pets to a veterinary service. This results in additional costs for LAC from outside their area.
This, however, requires sponsorships of which the shelter receives very little.
It also doesn’t receive funding from any government institution or the State Lottery.
As a result, the LAC has tried its best to come up with initiatives to generate some sort of funding to be able to continue providing the services it is so passionate about.
“We have a Sponsor @ Spay campaign where people can donate R1 200 for a specified month to help cover the costs of the sterilisations of pets where owners cannot afford to pay. We try to sterilise approximately 540 per year. They can sponsor as many months as they wish and we will personally thank them on social media with their logo or name, and a picture of the owner and pet.”
Those at LAC believe education is key. “We run school education programmes. People can also sponsor any of the animal-welfare education activity booklets for only R12 each. These go directly to the learners at reading time.”
LAC also has a charity shop in the heart of Langebaan that helps it cover some of its rising costs.
Those looking to empty its cupboards of any unwanted items can donate it for a good cause or visit the store to browse items on offer.
Another way the community can get involved is by volunteering. According to Rob they always need more volunteers especially in marketing, fostering and in the charity shop.
“Without the kind support from our local community and sponsors we would not be able to operate at all. We thank everyone who has contributed.”
If you would like to assist them in any way, kindly contact Carol on 082 411 8947 or visit their website for more details: https://langebaananimalcare.org/
To sponsor an activity book, visit
You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.
