A local animal welfare society is hoping to fund additional community outreach clinics over the next six months as demand for these services continue to increase. The Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch (AWSS) has made an appeal to the Stellenbosch community to help them raise R250 000 to make this possible.
This was according to Jessica Perrins, head of fundraising and communications at AWSS. The need for the outreach clinics has substantially increased since March 2020, according to the AWSS website.
The Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch has increased the number of community outreach clinics in an attempt to “keep pets and owners united”, according to their website. PHOTO: Kirsty Bucholz
The AWSS has been struggling financially due to reduced income and fewer donations since the outbreak of Covid-19.
“The clinics are run in areas that we have marked as ‘hot spots’; these include Klapmuts, Kayamandi, Vlottenberg, and Cloetesville. Managing the constant threat of disease and curbing the pet population is a daily challenge,” said Leandi Jooste, veterinary nurse at AWSS.
Funding
AWSS operates at a deficit, and under lockdown the loss increased as a result of diminishing returns, fewer donations, and reduced income, said Perrins.
“Due to financial constraints and loss of income, we have had donors having to suspend or cancel their monthly contributions,” said Perrins. “AWSS has had to cancel or postpone fundraising events and projects, resulting in a loss of much needed income to keep the clinic operational.”
AWSS has identified that the need for their services is ever increasing. “In order to meet the demand, it is crucial we increase our clinic capacity,” Perrins said. The R250 000 will go towards the effort to expand capacity, by enabling AWSS to have an additional clinic each week.
Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch is situated on Devon Valley Road. PHOTO: Kirsty Bucholz
The outreach clinics
Through the outreach clinics, AWSS is able to extend their reach into communities. They aim to increase the overall health and well-being of animals by providing primary veterinary healthcare, said Perrins.
Each month, the outreach clinics provide an average of 140 dogs and cats with vaccinations, and 50 animals with sterilisations. “We vaccinate, deworm and treat for ticks, fleas or mange. We also hand out dog and cat food,” said Jooste.
In addition to this, the increasing number of community outreach clinics is an attempt to “keep pets and owners united”, according to the AWSS website.
The community outreach clinic funding appeal is a first of its kind and one of the new virtual fundraising initiatives, according to Jessica Perrins, head of fundraising and communications at AWSS. PHOTO: Kirsty Bucholz
The clinics are run biweekly by a registered veterinary nurse and an inspector. The programme acts as a “critical link to sick and suffering animals that would otherwise not have access to veterinary care”, according to Perrins.
The services provided by the clinics “definitely make a difference in the dogs’ and cats’ lives, as the vaccinations prevent diseases like parvo, distemper, and rabies”, said Jooste. “Most owners appreciate the free service as they can’t afford veterinary care for their pets.”
“I don’t know where our animals would be without organisations such as this one that cares for and protects the animals in our community,” said Peni Dodo, a Stellenbosch resident who has adopted two cats from the AWSS.
The outreach clinics are run in areas that have been marked as ‘hot spots’; these include Klapmuts, Kayamandi, Vlottenberg, and Cloetesville, according to Leandi Jooste, a veterinary nurse at AWSS. PHOTO: Kirsty Bucholz