A few fervent, dedicated folk in Raithby have been exemplifying the spirit of Ubuntu, which manifests through their determination to uplift the lives of animals living on farms, sometimes in dire conditions.
This group of like-minded individuals got together a couple of years ago and set up the NGO, Farm Paws, to facilitate the extended care for dogs and cats living in the Raithby and Macassar greater area.
This involves arranging for spaying and neutering, administration of deworming, tick treatment and medications – and in some situations, helping to rehome animals who may be living in deprivation.
Attie Hofmeyr, a Raithby farmer, has been caring for his personal family of adopted dogs and cats, and his endeavours extend to getting other animals in the area to the nearest clinics, so that unwanted litters, hunger and disease could be counteracted.
Farm Paws spaying has also been done through Mdzandza Clinic, and the Animal Welfare Society in the Helderberg and Stellenbosch.
Attie provides transport and manpower in the form of Henry and Skippie, neighbour Rosa does all the tech work, and Ricky and Elize help to organise the donated (or reduced price) kennels, and manage financial contributions.
Attie, who has been doing labour of love for almost 20 years, says they are trying to restrict their focus to farm animals around Firgrove area, but want to expand to Annandale Road.
They also take on wildlife as needed, and Rosa’s son Rico deals regularly with the removal (and relocation) of venemous snakes from private properties, and saving mongoose, caracal, birds of prey and any other furred, scaled or feathered creature in need.
And then there’s Geraldine, a force of nature in Macassar, who cares for (or often collects) animals in need, and takes them under her wing while alternative homes are sought.
Occasionally in the world of animal welfare, cats and dogs have to be confiscated when they are identified as living in abusive circumstances, especially when they are being kept for nefarious reasons, like dog-fighting.
Sometimes dogs are stolen for just that purpose, or because they are valued as a status symbol (pitbuls being most notable).
Homes are found for cats and dogs as far afield as Robertson and Worcester, and judging by some before-and-after pictures I’ve been shown, they’ve gone from the pits of despair to the pinnacle of happiness.
Farm Paws has solid support through local businesses that arrange food and blanket drives.
With public support and donations, they are also enabled to distribute more kennels, food and blankets to less fortunate dogs in township areas.
A couple of weeks ago, another NPO, The DogBox Project, donated a number kennels to Farm Paws. The DogBox Project, based in Cape Town, started off in 2012 as a Mandela Day Initiative but has become an ongoing project due to popular demand.
The need of animal shelters is growing by the day… and blankets, food and kennels are always needed. Of these 3 items, kennels are unfortunately the most expensive and as funds are limited, the shelters are not always able to purchase them.
All the kennels that are completed by The DogBox Project are distributed into less fortunate communities, where the living conditions of animals are far from perfect, and many dogs will now be able to be warm and dry in the winter but also cool in the hot summer, they say.
The aim of the project is to get participating teams to add the final touches on ready-made dog kennels, adding finishing touches with paint and decorations.
“The Mandela Day campaign message is simple: Mr Mandela gave 67 years of his life fighting for the rights of humanity. All we are asking is that everyone gives, and they can contact us at 082 925 2671, or info@dogboxproject.co.za,” say the organisers.
Farm Paws was delighted by the blessing of10 of these kennels, and expressed special thanks Carina Rautenbach and DL Sure for the sponsoring and donation, including a warm blanket, water bowl, and a bag of food with each.
Attie added a spanky collar to each kennel to top it off. For more information on Farm Paws, contact Gigi at 060 577 0277, or visit Farm Paws on Facebook.
