When Marianthi Velissariou lost her job six years ago, she decided the time was right for her to face her fear for dogs – she then became a volunteer at an animal shelter.
“As a child my mom instilled the fear of dogs in me. I was never allowed to go near big dogs in fear that they might bite me. I was told they are dangerous.
“She also told me I was allergic to cats and have to stay away from them, and so I did,” she says.
Today, Marianthi works as a volunteer at Grace-Land animal sanctuary in Joostenbergvlakte spending her time walking dogs, big and small, and washing doghouses.
“I have come to love them and have since learned that all they really want is love. I now know my mom was wrong,” she says.
On Saturday she celebrated her 40th birthday at the sanctuary to raise funds for the organisation and to bring awareness of the invaluable work they do.
Instead of bringing presents, guest were invited to donate to the sanctuary.
Marianthi is inspired by the work of founder Caron Burger from Brackenfell who does a lot for animals and needy communities.
A helping hand
Grace Animal Sanctuary feeds, vaccinates, sterilises, deworms and attends to the emergency treatment of animals all over the Western Cape, but concentrates predominantly on the impoverished areas of Wesbank in Delft.
Caron, who has been actively involved with animal rescue since 1984, registered the NPO in 2016.
With a deep love for animals and a desire to make a difference in the lives of abused, neglected or abandoned animals she dreamt for many years of starting an animal rescue organisation.
After meeting co-founder Marlize Stander and discussing her dreams Grace Animal Sanctuary came to be.
Caron says she was born with the need to help animals.
“I may not be able to change the world but for every animal I rescue I can change their world. I sleep better at night because of this.
“We are to assist all over the Western Cape, but do most of our work in Wesbank and Delft where we feed 250 street dogs,” she says.
In addition the NPO feeds 850 children in Wesbank every day since the lockdown started, after finding it counter productive to provide soft food for animals only to have it consumed by hungry children.
Volunteers welcomed
Currently the sanctuary, managed and run by two staff members, house 40 dogs, three cats, two ponies, two calves, three sheep, 20 tortoises, one hedgehog and 25 chickens.
Six volunteers divide their time to see to adoptions, fostering, events and fund raising.
“Being reliant on public donations is a roller-coaster ride,” says Burger.
“Vet bills, feed, wages, petrol, rent and electricity are a monthly worry, not knowing whether our lease will be renewed in August pending the new development in Joostenbergvlakte and raising millions to purchase our own land is stressful.
“But worst of all is the worry of not finding the animals who need help in time.”
