Lending A Helping Hand | Danica Palvie
Spreading the Love…
Danica Palvie has been a resident of Hermanus for 7 years and really doing her part uplifting the community in anyway she can. Her love for animals and improving their lives for the better is steadfast, all her time goes into volunteering at the Hermanus Animal Welfare Society. Her big heart and caring nature really counts when it comes to caring for all the four legged critters at HAWS.
See what this local lady has to say…
When did you come to Hermanus?
I moved to Hermanus in 2007 from the Strand.
Why did you decide on coming to Hermanus?
My parents moved to Hermanus to be close to my grandparents, I decided to stay in Hermanus because it’s beautiful here. The ocean on the one side and beautiful mountains on the other, what more does one need?
What made you decide to become a volunteer at HAWS?
HAWS are in great need of volunteers. There is always a shelter that is in need of help. I love to help, especially when it comes to animals and if a shelter is going to need help I will always assist where I can.
Hermanus is…
Gorgeous!
I love Hermanus in the…
Winter – I love the rain, it is soothing and refreshing!
My favourite area/place in Hermanus is…
The Hemel and Aarde Valley, the valley is absolutely beautiful, from the old buildings to the baboons and fynbos!
The best part of my job is…
The time I get to help shelters via the internet.
I wish I knew then what I do know about…
Shelters. People working in shelters have a heart of gold and not all people appreciate that.
My best memories are…
When it comes to volunteering – Walking into a shelter and seeing all the happy dog’s faces. They know they are going to go for a nice walk to the beach or fundraising event for a shelter.
Being with other volunteers brings a sense of ‘we are doing good for those who don’t speak our language’. It’s an awesome feeling.
My three favourite animals are and why?
- Dogs – Dogs do understand us, we must just make the time to understand them. They are not called ‘a man’s best friend’ for nothing.
- Horses – They are such majestic animals, just beautiful.
- Dolphins – They are so intelligent and look like they have a lot of fun out in the waves!
Why should people adopt?
There are SO MANY animals that are sitting in shelters, day in and day out, waiting for a home. Why buy a animal from a breeder if you can give a dog/cat that has so many set backs a good, loving home?
Adopting an animal that has had the worst in life and helping that animal realize that not everything and everyone is bad, what more do you need? Will you leave a family member or friend to die on the street? Why do we want to do this to our animals? So many animals sit in shelters and are put to sleep because people would prefer to buy from a breeder. By adopting you are saving an animals life and making a space for a another animal that comes from off the street.
What is the most important advice that you could give to a person when it comes to adopting an animal?
Give that animal a chance to adjust to your home. Imagine if you had been sitting in a shelter for 6 months, a year, 2 years. It’s definitely going to take you a while to get use to your new environment and your new adoptive family’s routine. It takes up to 3 weeks for a dog to get to know your home and family. Why bring that animal back to the shelter after 2 days, you didn’t give that animal a chance. When you are adopting put yourself in that animals shoes and give that animal a chance to adjust to everything.
Tell us something that people don’t know about animals?
Both dogs and cats live in ‘packs’ in the wild. Usually the older dog is the leader and takes charge. The females in the pack teach the puppies who is in charge and where they stand in the pack. This is also the reason why puppies are only available for adoption after 8 weeks in a shelter. Up until 8 weeks the female teaches her puppies how to bark, how to eat and all the other important life lessons.
Cats form colonies of which the females and their young form the core and central part. There are males in the group, but they are not bound to the colony, they will go out in search of other females. Feral cats are very social in their own colony but are not a big fan of humans. The female cats will act as ‘midwives’, if another female has given birth to a litter the other females will raise each others kittens together. They will teach them how to eat, groom themselves, nurse, nest and how to act around other cats.
A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. ― Josh Billings
More info on the town of Hermanus |