HELP ALLEVIATE MISERY FOR ANIMALS IN CAPE TOWN

GLOBALGIVING REPORT – OCTOBER 2022

HELP ALLEVIATE MISERY FOR ANIMALS IN CAPE TOWN

 Dear Animal Lovers and Supporters on the GlobalGiving Platform

 While the donations on the GlobalGiving Platform have regrettably dropped off, TEARS Animal Rescue has certainly not held back on delivering on its mandate with regard to Vrygrond and surrounding communities, and we are busier than ever, striving to uplift the lives of companion animals and their owners and meeting the demand for our services by:

1. Providing free sterilisations, to reduce the impact of animal overpopulation and disease
2. Providing free and subsidised primary healthcare services (vaccinations, deworming / parasite control)
3. Educating communities on how to care for their pets, and assisting them where possible by providing food, kennels, accessories, and support for their pets
4. Providing two mobile clinics which are active daily in the marginalized communities of Vrygrond and surrounding areas, where, it has been estimated, 90 000 people live in abject poverty
5. Providing transportation for their animals to our registered veterinary clinic and hospital, a distance of 16 kilometres, to receive veterinary care and/or sterilisation, and returning the pets to their owners

 Thanks to generous funding received from two Foundations, TEARS was able to purchase two brand-new clinic vehicles, enabling us to provide enhanced services to the communities we serve, especially the Vrygrond areas.  The Two TEARS Mobile Clinics are on the road seven days a week, providing a vital link between pet owners and the on-site TEARS Veterinary Clinic.  They collect animals for treatment, sterilisation, and other veterinary interventions, and return them to their homes post-surgery/treatment. 

 The TEARS Mobile Clinics, manned by Animal Welfare Assistants, support other local Community NPOs, such as AfriPaw and Fur-get-me-Knot, with vaccinating, deworming and parasite treatment and aid in transporting animals to the TEARS welfare hospital /clinic for treatment/sterilisation. 

 Last year the City of Cape Town introduced a new long-awaited Animal-Keeping By-Law, which makes it compulsory for pet owners to sterilise their pets by 6 months of age, unless they have a permit, or risk a fine (R5 000), or jail time.  However, the biggest challenge for TEARS is securing the funding to cover the costs of free sterilisation, vaccination, and tick and flea treatments, which costs TEARS R1 106 per dog, and R935 per cat.

 In 2015, 193 world leaders signed off on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or Global Goals, which are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals, to be achieved by 2030.  The Mission Statement is: “A shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future”.

 As an organisation that cares deeply about the planet, its people, and animals, TEARS Animal Rescue is actively addressing four of these goals in our area of operation:

 GOAL #3:  Good Health & Well Being

Subsidised and free veterinary and healthcare support to pet owners in low-income communities and the resulting reduction in the prevalence of zoonotic diseases and the negative impact of feral and stray animals.

 GOAL #4: Quality Education

The only way to change the cycle of animal overpopulation, homelessness, neglect, and abuse is to focus on next-generation learning, compassion education, and pet care training that aligns with the primary healthcare and sterilisation programmes that TEARS is driving.

 GOAL #8:  Decent Work and Economic Growth

TEARS provides jobs as well as training and career opportunities within the animal welfare sector. 63% of TEARS staff are black South Africans (classified as "African" and/or "Coloured"). Our Education and Pet Care Training programme identifies animal welfare ‘talent’ and change leaders that can be developed into future leaders via internships and job creation programmes.

 GOAL #17:  Partnerships to achieve Goal

Collaborating with community leaders and other welfare organisations enables TEARS to extend its reach and impact with its main objectives being sterilisation, vaccinations, and microchipping. 30% of TEARS sterilisations are in support of other animal welfare organisations.

Only through funding will TEARS be in a position to increase its footprint in the extremely impoverished and needy areas we serve, and extend its impact via its Veterinary Outreach services, at a time when animal welfare funding has been cut, despite an ever-increasing crisis in the sector.

With sincere appreciation and grateful thanks for your support.

Warm regards

 MARILYN HOOLE

PROJECT LEADER

TEARS ANIMAL RESCUE DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER

22.10.22