11/06/2026
🩷
For those who don't know, Huistoe Animal Welfare has grown from one woman’s personal rescue work into a sanctuary caring for about 70 dogs at a time, including animals that many shelters would struggle to keep: the abused, abandoned, overlooked, elderly and non-adoptable. Founder Lientjie began by helping with sterilisations, vaccinations, vet care, food distribution and rehoming in Wepener and surrounding rural areas, but the need kept widening.
What emerged was not only a rescue and rehoming effort, but a place for dogs that are unlikely ever to find homes elsewhere. The organisation now focuses on rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming, while also offering sanctuary to older dogs and those with special needs.
Huistoe says Bloemfontein and surrounding areas face severe levels of neglect, abuse, abandonment and overpopulation, with shelters carrying more than they can reasonably absorb. In 2025 alone, the organisation sterilised 287 dogs, a figure it sees as one of the clearest ways to reduce unwanted litters and curb suffering before it starts.
It also provides school visits and social-media education on responsible pet care, while continuing to respond to emergency calls with food and veterinary help where possible. But the daily pressure remains relentless. The organisation says pet owners are increasingly shifting responsibility onto shelters, while the cost of food, vet care, rent, electricity, salaries and maintenance keeps rising. Its combined vet bills are now above R16 000, while 18 puppies are in care, including 10 bottle-fed puppies without a mother. Formula milk, puppy food, tinned food, blankets, jerseys, F10 cleaning solution, NexGard and plastic kidney beds are among the most urgent stock needs, along with maintenance help and kennel expansion.
Huistoe also does not yet have its own vehicle, which complicates rescues and donation collections, and it remains on rented premises, leaving its future vulnerable if relocation ever becomes necessary.
Still, the organisation points to cases like Titan to explain why it keeps going:
Rescued from Fauresmith in an extreme state of neglect, mange and pain, Titan arrived skeletal, inflamed and barely holding on. He has since recovered steadily, undergone a leg amputation that improved his comfort and mobility, and begun to regain confidence, companionship and health. Huistoe’s larger goal is to secure permanent premises with more stable, home-like infrastructure and, eventually, a sensory garden for rehabilitation. For now, it is asking the public for practical support: donations, debit orders, foster help, supplies, sponsorships, adoptions, volunteer labour and, ideally, a bakkie.
Businesses can reach out to lend support for Nelson Mandela day: [email protected]
For visits, fundraising, rescue: Lientjie 084 767 0249
Contact Andrien for adoptions: 083 236 8805.
