St Francis Animal Rescue
St Francis Animal Rescue
Standard Bank Branch number, 050015
Business Savings Account
Account number, 186532814
This charity was founded by a group of St Francis Bay volunteers – all passionate animal lovers – who came together to help improve the quality of life of dogs and cats living in the township of Sea Vista. It’s no secret that the Eastern Cape is one of the poorest provinces in South Africa and Sea Vista, like so many townships in our country, is a place where most resident families face a daily struggle to survive. Trapped in poverty, deprivation and need, many of these families battle to feed themselves, let alone their animals. Within Sea Vista, and on the verges of the roads skirting this informal settlement, cows, pigs, goats and hungry dogs, roam for food. The principal mission of St Francis Animal Rescue is a sterilization campaign driven by the theme of, ‘Open Your Eyes & Sterilize’. Volunteers make every effort to persuade dog and cat owners to spay and neuter their pets to reduce puppy and kitten populations and prevent the cruelty and neglect that stems from over-breeding. In 2016, St Francis Animal Rescue held a Sea Vista Spayathon involving local vet, Dr Nerine Botha and eight other Eastern Cape vets who generously donated their skills and time towards sterilizing the dogs and cats of Sea Vista. This year, working in collaboration with Dr Nerine Botha of Aloe Veterinary Clinic and Dr Annelise Barker of The Humansdorp Veterninary Clinic, this charity has succeeded in sterilizing well over 200 dogs and cats. In addition, St Francis Animal Rescue runs a weekly outreach in Sea Vista. Every Thursday afternoon, residents bring their dogs to be dipped, dewormed and provided with medicine or wound care where necessary. On the first Thursday of each month, puppies and dogs are vaccinated against diseases such as Distemper, Billary and Parvo Virus. Food and water are provided at every outreach and this charity now sells best quality dog and cat food at R5.00 a bag through three Spaza stores who encourage pet owners to purchase affordable food for their animals. Through regular weekly outreaches, St Francis Animal Rescue volunteers have developed a warm relationship with dog and cat owners in the township who feel free to call upon any of the helpers when faced with a problem or an emergency affecting their pets. The charity’s goal for 2017, is to extend their reach into Sea Vista through a ‘Street by Street’ campaign during which volunteers walk the streets of the township in teams of two, identifying dogs in need of food, water, shelter or medical attention. A Port Elizabeth conveyor belt manufacturer is currently manufacturing affordable, sturdy, indestructible dog kennels to provide animal welfare groups with safe, warm shelters for township dogs. Donations from local supporters have already provided funds for fifty kennels, soon to be distributed in Sea Vista. Education is vital in resolving issues animal neglect and cruelty and, to this end, St Francis Animal Rescue is organizing a schools program aimed at encouraging awareness of proper care and feeding of pets amongst children. Next year they will be hosting weekly obedience and agility training courses in Sea Vista to show children how much fun they can have with their dogs and how close the relationship between humans and animals can be. Donations of cat and dog food, blankets, towels, leashes, collars, drinking bowls, pet toys and funds are always gratefully received. Our banking details are:
St Francis Animal Rescue
Standard Bank number, 050015
Business Savings Account
Account number, 186532814
