After years of rescuing animals in need, Cheryl-Lyn’s Rescue Organisation (CRO) now faces losing its sanctuary as the land it occupies is set to be sold.
CRO, founded by Cheryl-Lyn Potgieter, has been operating since 2015, rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming abused, neglected and abandoned animals across areas including Melkbosstrand, Table View, Milnerton and surrounding communities.
Now, with the Cape Farms property it occupies going on the market, the organisation is urgently appealing for public support to help secure the land and prevent displacement. Currently, the organisation has 160 furry friends in its care.
A sanctuary under threat
Over the years, CRO has grown from a small rescue effort into a full-scale sanctuary, providing a safe haven for animals in recovery, those awaiting adoption, and permanent residents who have nowhere else to go. The farm has become central to its operations — a place of safety for animals that have often come from traumatic backgrounds.
But with the property’s future uncertain, the organisation has been forced to make a difficult decision. “With a heavy heart, we have to close our doors to new intakes for now,” said Potgieter. “Inside these fences are already so many lives depending on us — and right now, they need us more than ever.”
An overwhelming need
The rescue currently cares for an overwhelming number of animals, going through nearly 70kg of dog food every day. Despite the emotional and financial strain, the team remains committed to giving each animal the best possible care.
“There’s a phone that never stops ringing. Each call is a life that needs saving,” Potgieter said. “We’ve always said yes — even when it was hard, even when we didn’t know where the next bag of food would come from. But now we have to pause and focus on the animals already in our care.”
A plea for help
In a bid to secure their future, CRO has launched an urgent crowdfunding campaign to raise funds to purchase the farm and continue their work. “This is not goodbye forever… it’s just a pause,” Potgieter added. “A pause while we fight for their future. A pause while we hope for a miracle — a new piece of land, a new beginning, a place where they will always be safe.”
The organisation is calling on the public to support their efforts, whether through donations, adoptions, or spreading awareness.
Visit BackaBuddy to donate.
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