Last year, the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWS SA) treated 10 528 sick and injured outpatients, hospitalised 3 085 animals, performed 4 482 surgical procedures, attended to 1 056 animal cruelty cases and offered sanctuary to 185 unwanted dogs and puppies.
“Whilst I am very proud of the positive impact the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa has made over the past 90-plus years our work will sadly never be done,” AWS SA spokesperson Allan Perrins said.
Jane Goodall once said that “we should have respect for animals because it makes better human beings of us all” but we have regrettably noticed a distinct lack of respect for animals within our Cape Flats constituency, Perrins adds.
Many pet owners are failing their pets and disregarding their rights and needs. Since the beginning of the New Year, the AWS SA operational team has had a torrid time and come face-to-face with some of the most indifferent and unremorseful people imaginable.
“If we had our own way we would lock them up and throw away the key for being so cruel… the wheels of justice grind slowly but finely and we leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of justice for abandoned, abused or neglected animals,” Perrins adds.
AWS SA recently put an end to the pain and suffering of a dog owned by a Grassy Park resident who lived within walking distance of an animal welfare organisation who could have saved his dog’s life. Instead he allowed his dog to suffer until it was too late, and will now face the full might of the Law.
“We really had to control our emotions when Patsy, a 13-year-old Maltese Cross was recently admitted with an infected, prolapsed vagina and terminal cancer.
“Her badly infected wounds were horrendous and she must have been in excruciating pain yet her cruel owner chose to ignore her cries – instead he burst into tears when confronted – worried that he may lose his job if his boss found out about Patsy.
“We were hoping that the New Year would bring us some respite and that we would see fewer cases of gross neglect and deliberate cruelty but that appears to be wishful thinking,” Perrins expressed.
If it were not for the benevolence of donors who enable AWS SA to keep their doors open, they cannot even imagine what would happen to pets like Patsy. “We owe our benefactors a sincere debt of gratitude for each act of kindness whether it be financial, volunteering or helping animals in their own way.”
If you are concerned about the wellbeing or welfare of an animal, please call 021 692 2626 during office hours or 082 601 1761 after hours. If you would like to support the life-saving work of the Animal Welfare Society, then please get into contact with Allan Perrins: 078 631 5126 | [email protected].
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