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This year, the Society for Animals in Distress has treated more than 80 000
pets and working animals in townships and informal settlements across
Joburg.
In the field, caring for animals
J
OBURGERS love their pets some keep dogs and cats for friendship, while
others keep working animals to help them earn an income. But for some, the costs
of keeping their pets healthy are prohibitive. This is where the Society for
Animals in Distress (SAID) steps in.
It provides professional veterinarian services to people with low or no
income. SAID works in nine townships and informal settlements to the north and
northeast of the city centre, in Ivory Park, Ebony Park, Diepsloot,
Olievenhoutbosch, Zevenfontein, Cosmo City, Mooiplaas, Tembisa and Winnie
Mandela Park.
Trained field workers are sent out each day in vehicles equipped with two-way
radios and veterinary supplies. They treat sick and injured animals and refer
animals for necessary professional veterinary evaluation and treatment.
"Treatment of the animals includes that of wounds, vaccinations, and
de-worming," said Lyn Wells, SAID's corporate and media relation officer.
The society aimed to educate people and not to confiscate animals from
owners. The field workers gave out advice and made regular home visits to ensure
that owners have heeded their advice. "This includes advice on correct
nutrition, adequate shelter and the availability of fresh water for animals,"
Wells said.
The organisation's headquarters are in Midrand, where there is a fully
equipped, small animal hospital, as well as stables and paddocks for
recuperating animals. "We treat on an average day, 70 small animals and 40 large
animals."
She added that animals that needed intensive care or surgery were taken to
the facility for treatment, and then discharged to their owners once they had
recuperated.
SAID was formed in 1958 as the Bantu Animal Welfare Society. The
organisation's mission is to protect animals, heal their sicknesses, fight
ignorance and to empower others to do the same.
In 2003 it set up a school education programme in Winnie Mandela Park, an
informal settlement in Tembisa, where basic animal care is taught to almost
10 000 grade 11 learners in 50 schools within the nine areas of operation.
"The learners enjoy their lessons, and it is heartening to watch as ignorance
and fear are replaced with knowledge and a desire to bond with and experience
the unique love that should exist between every child and his pet," she said.
Wells said that the educational programmes had resulted in an increase in the
number of animal owners requesting pet sterilisations, and a rise in the early
detection of illness in domestic animals by pet owners had decreased the need
for hospitalisation.
Another successful initiative is the Coal Yard Project, based on empathy,
understanding and mutual respect between horse owners and SAID fieldworkers. The
project was launched in Tembisa in 2004, and the society is now responsible for
the ongoing healthcare of some 320 working horses and donkeys in 14 coal yards.
SAID aims to create a safe and healthy environment for all domestic animals.
This year it treated 82 905 animals, both in the hospital and in the field. In
addition, 12 vehicles travelled 270 100 kilometres helping animals in distress.
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