Posts in category: News

April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. This, of course, is an issue we are concerned with year round but this month gives us a chance to reflect on the work that we do and how we are assisting in the fight against cruelty to animals.

ARO’s focus as an organisation is providing veterinary care to animals in need but chiefly we focus on sterilisation and education. We believe this is the best way to have long term impact on cruelty to animals as it is the overpopulation of domestic animals – most prevalent in indigent areas – and the lack of education on what it means to care for a pet that causes cruelty to occur so frequently in our country.

All too often, however, a special case comes through our doors. In this case, Brownie, a young cross breed who was brought in by his owner who had left him with a clearly unsuitable carer while she was away. Brownie was kept on a chain and as this pup grew, the rope got tighter until it eventually cut right through his skin. One can just imagine the constant pain this pup endured. Thankfully Brownie was brought to us in time to save his life. Dr Natasha Clark cleaned, stitched and dressed his wound and he is recovering nicely. 

It is a testament to the nature of animals that Brownie is a sweet, loving dog. You would never know what he had suffered at the hands of humans. He needs about 2 weeks to recover but then will be ready to find his forever home.

Let us remember animals like Brownie this April for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. Just by being a part of the ARO family you are doing your bit for the cause. If you would like to do something extra this coming month perhaps consider making a R450 donation to cover a sterilisation (use your full name + cruelty as reference – banking details below).

Account Name: Animal Rescue Organisation

Bank:                                   ABSA Bank

Branch code:                     632 005

Account number:              4086080569

SWIFT code:                      ABSAZAJJ

We are so excited about a recent renovation to our hospital! Thanks to Old Mutual Staff Volunteer Fund Trust (OMSVFT), we were able to redo the floors of our indoor and outdoor kennels as well as part of the hospital floors. Although we are very happy with how fresh and new our flooring looks, this is not the most important part of this makeover. The new floor is made of screed, which is not only incredibly sturdy but offers us a surface that we can clean and sterilise properly. The flooring we had previously was tile and old cracked cement. This resulted in many little areas our F10 steriliser could not reach. This increases the risk of viruses like parvo spreading to animals in our hospital, which is an issue we were constantly concerned with. Now because of OMSVFT’s generosity in sponsoring this project we can rest easy knowing that this area of our clinic can be easily cleaned and will help stop the spread of communicable viruses.

Sadly, ringing in the New Year went belly up when we were held up by gunpoint by a group of men pretending to be prospective customers.  After gaining access, the thugs rounded up all the staff while they cleared us out and damaged our property before getting away with our office and clinic computers, cell phones, personal belongings belonging to our staff and ripping out all the cabling to our switchboard and security cameras.   The costs to recoup what has been taken or damaged is excessive for an animal welfare to replace.  It is unthinkable that an organisation that dedicates all its efforts into helping sick and suffering animals in the poorest communities could be a target!  

If you are in a position to assist ARO with upgrading our current security and replacing any of the equipment, please click here

We are saddened to share the news that we lost a beloved colleague in December due to COVID19.  Sharon Adams, who dedicated 26 years of service to ARO, was our financial administrator who managed the collection tins and will be remembered by many for her positivity and encouraging attitude.  All the staff at ARO miss Sharon terribly and there hasn’t been a day that we have not thought of her and her family. 

Rest well Sharon, you will remain in our hearts forever.

ARO has joined forces with other welfare organisations in the City of Cape’s mass sterilisation campaign. We are aiming to sterilise at least 250 animals from Mitchell’s Plain before the end of February 2021.  Our Mobile Clinic is being used to collect and deliver animals for this city funded project. 

This will reduce the amount of unwanted animals that are subjected to suffering and neglect as a result. Sterilisation is of paramount importance to managing pet populations and ending the cycle of animal abuse and cruelty.

Other benefits of sterilisation include:

• Sterilised animals are healthier; they have reduced instances of cancers and infections of the genital tract and breast cancer).
• They are less likely to roam resulting in a lower accident rate.
• They are less likely to show sex-related behavioural issues, i.e. aggression, dominant behaviour, fighting and even spray-marking of territory
• Fewer euthanasia’s
• Reduced pressure on animal welfare services

Covid has had devastating effects on everyone and our team have been faced with the harsh reality of how badly the poorest of communities have been hit.  Animals are starving, sick and badly neglected but ARO is doing everything we can to give those animals a SECOND CHANCE. We are treating the sick, feeding the hungry and showing compassion to those animals, even if it is in their final hours.

ARO has launched the SECOND CHANCES campaign to help more animals, with the help of our donors.  Many donors jumped on board to show their support and in return, were gifted with a super trendy ARO branded buff with a matching dog bandana for their beloved pets.  Acana generously sponsored a bag dog food to each donor.