The Animal Rescue Organisation (ARO) which cares for sick and neglected township animals was awarded a R25 000 grant as part of the International Fund for Animal Welfare's (IFAW) Pet Rescue Project for this year.

Founder of IFAW, Mr Brian Davies, handed over the cheque to the director of ARO, Betty Schaefer at the headquarters in Rondebosch East last week.

"We are absolutely delighted with the grant. The Pet Rescue Project money will help us expand," said Mrs Schaefer.

"We need more mobile clinics to reach new areas of the townships, and our eventual goal is to fund our own hospital," she added.

An astonishing number of 25 173 animals were treated by ARO in 1996. Since 1994, this figure has risen by an average of 2 000 a year.

"Most families breed with the dogs. They have about five to six dogs which are a source of income for the owner who sells the puppies," said Vincent Gabriel, who organises the mobile units.

The Animal Rescue Organisation has two mobile clinics which server about 20 communities daily. Innoculations, vaccinations, spaying and neutering are just a few of their services.

Not only does the ARO see to the welfare of cats and dogs, but also cattle.

People flocking to the city for employment bring their livestock along with them. Often, the owner is not able to afford proper enclosures for the animals and as a result, the cattle get very sick.

The Pet Rescue Project which was started in 1994, distributes nearly R2-million worldwide every year to pet welfare organisations to help fund adoption and fostering programmes, sterilisation, food and supply expenses, veterinary bills, educational schemes and building construction and renovation.

A total of R135 000 is being made available to South African animal shelters by IFAW during 1997/98, but only to organisations who try to find homes for animals rather than kill them.

Webmaster's note:
Fantastic! AANSA supports and promotes no-kill policies too. Visit DARG's pages: they work closely with adoption programmes and animal shelters.

Contact IFAW Africa at:

PO Box 2587
Rivonia
2128