Funds for the animals

KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna Animal Welfare Society (KAWS) has been serving the greater Knysna area for the better part of 73 years - and it is in dire straits as animal surrenders are at an all-time high and no funds have been received from the Knysna Municipality for four years.

From Sedgefield to Harkerville, animals in distress, needing emergency medical care, sterilisations or primary healthcare are accommodated at the KAWS clinic and hospital facility while they also act as a safe-haven for abandoned, stray and surrendered animals.

At any given time, the facility has approximately 30 dogs and 30 cats up for adoption (not to mention numerous puppies and kittens).

These animals require daily feeding, their housing area needs to be kept clean and a group of dedicated volunteers spend time playing with the cats and walking the dogs - all to ensure they receive mental and physical stimulation on a daily basis.

The sheer number of animals coming through their doors is overwhelming on the best of days, says manager Speed. "In the first quarter of 2024, we had a total of 266 hospital admissions and 311 clinic consultations.

Our vets sterilized 238 dogs (of which, only 11% were paid for by their owners) and 102 cats (with less than 7% paid for by their owners). The costs of all remaining sterilisations were covered by KAWS or sponsored by donors."

Providing healthcare for pet owners who can't afford private vets

KAWS' core function is to provide primary healthcare to animals in need and for owners who are not able to afford private veterinary care, explains Speed.

"However, due to the current economic climate, the burden on KAWS and its clinic is ever increasing. Pet owners are not able to afford private veterinary care, so they queue up outside our entrance every single day, seeking help for sick or injured animals. We have three inspectors who work on a rotation basis to ensure that those individuals needing help have access to KAWS veterinary care 24 hours a day."

"People are downscaling from houses to apartments, and in most cases, their new residences do not allow pets. These beloved animals are then brought to KAWS where they have to adapt from home-life to kennel-life. The number of unclaimed stray animals is also at an all-time high."

Speed also mentions that "one would expect KAWS to be the first place a pet owner would turn to when their animal goes missing. In the first quarter of 2024, 26 dogs and 20 cats were brought in as strays. Not one of these animals were claimed by their owners.

"There is an expectation from the public that we will be able to re-home all the animals that come through our doors. The reality is that there are too few homes for the sheer number of animals surrendered or abandoned. We are having to euthanize an average of 117 animals per month, because there simply are not enough homes available. The burden on the staff who have to perform the euthanasia is overwhelming."

Animals who are placed up for adoption often wait months (and sometimes years) for a home, according to KAWS.

Bob is just one of many dogs that has been surrendered to KAWS and now needs a home.

This kitty surrendered to KAWS needs a home.

Where is overdue municipality financial grant?

"We have a 24-hour open-access pound facility at our property, for which we are meant to receive an annual municipal grant from the Knysna Municipality. Our last payment received from them was in June 2020. Since then, we have relied solely on the generosity of our supporters and donors. Without these kind and generous people, KAWS would not be able to function as we do. Our costs to run the Adoption Centre, the Clinic and the Charity Shop are approximately R380 000 per month and this whilst employing as many cost-saving measures as possible."

But she is grateful and says, "We would like to thank those who donate regularly – be it through time, money, donations to our charity shop, or attending our fundraising events. We simply could not do it without you. We are still hopeful that the Knysna Municipality will see how beneficial KAWS is within the greater Knysna area, and provide some form of financial support in the coming months. Until then, we urge the public to continue to support us. We can only continue to make a difference if our doors stay open. There are so many animals who need us."

Go to the KAWS website to see how you can help or to see the animals which need homes.

KAWS Charity Shop in Market Street raises funds for animals in need.