Animal support groups in East London

Posted in Animal Sanctuaries | Animals | ShowMe Cares

South Africa is a nation of animal lovers, and here in East London, our community is proof of this, with several animal support organisations dedicated to the health, safety and psychological wellness of animals.

Animal welfare refers to the relationships people have with animals and their duty to assure that any animals under their care are treated humanely and responsibly.

Here is some information about the support groups in East London that often go above and beyond their duties to ensure the well being of the animals.

The East London SPCA is a non-profit organisation and has been running for ± 100 years. Dedicated to animal rescue, welfare and the prevention of animal cruelty, the ELSPCA does not turn any animal away and is on call 24/7 to respond to animal rescue and emergencies.

The wonderful services that the ELSPCA provides are numerous and include the assistance of primary animal health care for low income animal owners and the education of responsible pet ownership in previously disadvantaged communities – this includes school visitations and educating young learners on responsible pet care and humane treatment of pets.

The ELSPCA takes in stray and unwanted pets or livestock, providing care and shelter for any abandoned, abused, stray or neglected animals. Visits from members of the public wishing to adopt an animal are encouraged and it is the ELSPCA’s aim to re-home animals into loving homes with responsible owners. In this instance, potential adopters are screened carefully to ensure that the animals are going to a good and permanent home and it is policy that all animals are spayed or neutered before adopters are permitted to take them.

The ELSPCA also assists in preventing unwanted litters by spaying and neutering animals owned by low-income families. In addition they also run mobile clinics in certain previously disadvantaged communities, providing essential primary healthcare. Other services include a lost and found service and animal boarding facilities.

As an NPO, the ELSPCA is not funded by the government and relies on donations. Numerous campaigns and events are held frequently in East London in order to assist in fundraising for this organisation that offers a service that is absolutely vital to our community.

EL Pet Pals was founded by a group of animal loving people who saw the need for an animal sanctuary, a shelter for homeless animals and a place where they could receive human interaction, exercise and affection. EL Pet Pals provides a re-homing facility for the animals and also offers rehabilitation where necessary. While in their care, the animals are well looked after, receiving nutritional food, de-worming/tick/flea treatment and adequate vet care. All of their adopted animals are sterilised.

Volunteers are a huge part of EL Pet Pals and where some work directly with the animals, feeding, bathing and exercising them, others assist prospective pet owners, introducing them to the animals and giving advice. These essential duties and the volunteers that provide them, add to the already formidable team at EL Pet Pals.

EL Pet Pals is a non-profit organisation and does not receive any government funding so relies considerably on public donations. They hold numerous events throughout the year in order to raise awareness and funds and receive enormous support from the community.

FELA (Friends of the East London Aquarium) was established in 1992 and is a non-profit organisation. FELA plays a very important role in the rescue of marine animals in distress, animals that have been affected by pollution and other such disasters. Hundreds of animals are cared for and rehabilitated every year and then returned to the ocean.

An organisation which began online, East London Animal Welfare (ELAW) has become an integral part of our community, cemented by the one strong thread amongst its members – a strong love for animals and the desire to go the extra mile to make a difference in an animal’s life.

A non-profit organisation, ELAW continually strives to undertake new projects and improve on already existing ones. They are currently building on their sterilization and homing projects and would like to implement a Trapping, Neuter and Release (TNR) programme – this involves the trapping, sterilization and release of feral cats back into their community, a programme that is already in place and accepted as the norm in many countries worldwide. ELAW dreams of creating an exclusive trust fund to assist those who have difficulty in paying their vet bills – this would ultimately prevent pet owners from having to make the decision to euthanize their otherwise healthy pets, an often sad reality when finances are not available. ELAW is also very involved in Out-Reach Programmes such as food drives, to assist with much needed food for the less fortunate pet owners in various locations.

With long-term plans to secure land in the community in order to build a shelter, ELAW continually organises events throughout the year to raise funds for the organisation. They are comprised of a dedicated team of volunteers who are fuelled by their passion for helping the many abused, neglected and unwanted animals in our society today.

At Chintsa Horses and New Hampshire Rehabilitation Centre, the horses have been removed from places of neglect and are there to be nurtured back to good health. The centre has been running for 12 years and strives in the rehabilitation to return the horses to the point where they can once again be ridden. These very horses are used on trails for Chintsa Horses, which in turn generates the income for the Rehabilitation Centre. By the end of 2009, the centre had successfully rehabilitated around 50 horses and although this project is reliant on tourism to help maintain the animals and run the centre, it is the genuine love and caring for horses that keep it running successfully.

Volunteers have become invaluable in helping with the rehabilitation of the horses, grooming them, preparing them for handling and assisting with feeding. The love that some volunteers have for the horses is very clear – not all of them know how to ride, yet they are still involved in the rehabilitation.

Paws for Jesus was founded by Seventh Day Adventists who not only care for the welfare of animals but also assist others who care for their welfare. Through the love and care of animals and concern for their well being and safety, Paws for Jesus assist however they can – sharing events, raising much needed funds, contributing towards sterilization costs, vet bills and donating food/bedding and other items to other animal welfare organisations. Caring stewardship of God’s creation.