The Tom Ro Haven for Equines and Children rehabilitation centre in Noordhoek has requested assistance after the non-profit organisation’s premises were broken into and goods and equipment worth more than R60,000 were stolen.
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Tom Ro Haven is a registered non-profit organisation that rescues and rehabilitates abused and neglected horses and ponies at its premises in Noordhoek, Cape Town.
The haven’s horses and ponies are then used in equine-assisted healing programmes for children and young adults who are at risk or have experienced physical or emotional trauma.
Ranch chairperson Gillian McCulloch told IOL that they noticed something was wrong on Saturday morning, prompting them to conduct a thorough inspection.
McCulloch said that they had noticed someone had broken in when they arrived at the field on Saturday at about 6.15am. They looked for the wheelbarrows and noticed one was missing. After going into the shelter where they keep tack, they saw that horse blankets and bales of roughage had been ransacked.
McCulloch called ADT to conduct a search; however, she said that calling the police was not at the forefront of their minds.
“We have no insurance, and in all honesty, it is highly unlikely that they will even bother to investigate,” said McCulloch.
After the robbery, the Tom Ro Ranch staff no longer feels safe because they are constantly reminded of everything that could have happened if they had been in contact with the perpetrators on that day. They are also worried about the safety of their herd of horses.
Their field has no infrastructure, such as electricity or running water and sewage, and no one is allowed to stay on the property.
Tom Ro Haven is entirely supported by public donations and the efforts of its wonderful volunteers. The NGO is requesting donations from anyone who is able to assist in the recovery from this incident.
For donations:
- Account name: Tom Ro Haven
- Bank: Standard Bank
- Account number: 332772136
- Swift code: SBZA JJ ZAPBO
- Account number: 930050464
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Picture: Tom Ro Haven for Equines and Children / Facebook