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KNYSNA NEWS - The Knysna Animal Welfare Society (KAWS) is an organisation that knows many pets and owners need assistance, and with this in mind, KAWS needs your help with three of their projects.
The main objective of the projects is to ensure that owners are educated in the proper care of their pets, and that the pets have the safest homes they can possibly get.
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According to general manager Annelien Kitley, the most important out of the three is their sterilisation project launched in March.
The other two, created by committee member Cobri Vermeulen, are known as the kennel project and the "unchain the dog" project, both launched last year.
KAWS office manager Retha Havenga explains a bit more about the projects.
• “Our sterilisation project is vital and works hand-in-hand with the other two. It is aimed mainly at anyone who qualifies for some sort of welfare or grant, but we judge each case on its own merits.”
This project, says Havenga, aims to sterilise as many animals a week as possible, to alleviate the issue of strays and unwanted puppies.
This pet can now freely roam its garden without a chain as a result of the "unchain the dog" project. Photo: Supplied
“We used to only be able to do mass sterilisations twice a year, but with the addition of Dr Anesca Loots and a dedicated team we are now able to spay about 10 sponsored animals weekly, focusing on a specific area.
"Many of these pet owners cannot afford to sterilise their animals,” she says.
In this manner, KAWS can sterilise up to 60 "sponsor spay" pets a month, at a cost of R350 per animal. “For the price of this donation, a photo of the dog along with your name will be placed on our Facebook page,” she says.
Each case judged on own merit
Kitley reiterates that each case is judged on its own merit, and according to KAWS requirements they will decide on how much the pet owner can pay, but for the remaining sum donations are needed.
“Each pet owner also receives 8kg of dog food and a blanket after the sterilisation. Anyone can apply for this service with us,” says Kitley.
• The kennel project, says Havenga, was conceived to provide shelter for dogs living in the townships in Greater Knysna. Recycled conveyor belts that last much longer than wood or plastic, according to Havenga, is used for these kennels.
“A R400 donation would buy a kennel that will be given to an identified township dog in the donor’s name. To qualify, the owner needs to meet a list of conditions which they can get from our office,” she says.
Some of these kennels will be heading to owners in Diepwalle after they fulfilled all KAWS' requirements. Photo: Supplied
• While delivering these kennels, the opportunity is used to educate dog owners on the proper care of their pets, Havenga says, along with giving each a blanket, food bowl and bag of dog food. To date, 282 kennels have been donated.
The mission of the third project, unchain the dog, is to ensure that all dogs lead the lives they deserve – free of chains.
“It is about the dog’s safety and wellbeing,” says Havenga, adding, “Many dogs are sentenced to a life at the end of a chain or rope, never knowing freedom.”
This project, she says, also aims at raising awareness about the cruelty of chaining. “The goal is to provide a running chain of adequate length to be used as a temporary measure, with a view to building a safe, enclosed area for dogs,” she says.
With this project, too, there are certain requirements owners have to fulfil.
To get involved with or to apply for any of these projects, contact KAWS on 044 384 1603 or e-mail kawssocial@gmail.com.
ARTICLE: STEFAN GOOSEN, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD JOURNALIST
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