In a commendable effort to improve the health and wellbeing of pets in Vrygrond, one of the Western Cape’s oldest and most densely populated informal settlements, TEARS Animal Rescue has forged a vital partnership with AfriPaw Animal Welfare.
Every second Saturday, this collaborative initiative brings much-needed veterinary care to the community, ensuring that dogs and cats receive the chance they deserve at a healthier life.
For nearly a decade, AfriPaw has been dedicated to serving the low-income residents of Vrygrond, providing free sterilisation, affordable primary healthcare, and access to vital resources such as food and shelter for township pets.
The partnership with TEARS significantly amplifies this essential work, combining AfriPaw’s deep-rooted community relationships with TEARS’ medical expertise to create a robust programme of care.
‘AfriPaw knows this community and has the trust of the people who live there. We bring the medical capability. Together we can do far more than either of us could alone,’ explained Mandy Store, Operations Manager at TEARS.
This synergy has seen the initiative transform the lives of countless animals, with AfriPaw’s network of dedicated local volunteers identifying pets in need while TEARS provides the necessary medication, vaccines, and critical veterinary support.
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The outreach runs every second Saturday, covering all costs associated with transportation and sterilisation – a significant commitment for TEARS, given that their vehicles operate on diesel and incur considerable fuel expenses.
In June, the partnership celebrated a noteworthy milestone with the inauguration of a second Pet Clinic in Seawinds, a neighbouring community historically hindered from accessing veterinary services. On opening day, an impressive 177 pets received primary healthcare, many of them for the very first time.
As of August, the Seawinds clinic alone had served 260 pets in one month, while the Vrygrond clinic maintained an impressive outreach of over 900, culminating in a remarkable combined total of more than 1 100 animals reached every month through both clinics.
At the heart of this collaboration lies the crucial goal of sterilisation; every unsterilised animal in an under-resourced community represents the potential for future suffering – ripple effects of more unplanned litters leading to increased numbers of strays in desperate need of care.
Encouragingly, support for TEARS’ efforts continues to grow. A notable instance is the story of Flea, a young puppy who arrived at TEARS after being surrendered to the AfriPaw Pet Clinic.
Suffering from severe flea infestation and irritated ears, Flea was treated with a generous donation of R500 000 worth of Bravecto flea and tick treatment – an intervention that provided her instant relief and allowed her to heal. She has since been adopted into a loving forever home.
As the partnership moves forward into 2026 and beyond, TEARS and AfriPaw remain committed to their shared vision of cultivating a community that treasures and protects its pets. However, this initiative can only thrive with continued financial support.
Donations towards sterilisation and transportation costs are crucial in increasing the number of animals these organisations can reach.
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Picture: Supplied
