GALLERY: Animal Allies assist animals in need

Animal Allies is a non-profit organisation that operates in and around Joburg with the aim of rescuing feral cats/dogs and sterilising them.

Karen Chitongo of Animal Allies explained that the organisation was started in 2010, in Honeydew.

“Armed with traps, nets and little experience we embarked on our first feral cat capture. From the start our goal was to trap, neuter, release and vaccinate feral cats.”

She explained, “While we focused on feral cats, people approached us on a daily basis to help with sterilisations and veterinary care in poorer communities.

”Thousands of animals live in and among the poorest community in informal settlements and have limited or no access to veterinary services. The result is untold suffering.

”This led us to our first sterilisation campaign in September 2011, where we de-wormed, vaccinated and sterilised close to 600 dogs and cats free of charge.”

Chitongo added that in September 2013 the organisation embarked on another sterilisation and education in Honeydew. “It started off slowly through building up trust, and through our educational campaigns, we gained momentum in a settlement just outside Honeydew. Currently we are de-worming and vaccinating up to 20 animals per week in and around the area.”

She said that they were also asked to help the crèches around informal settlements near Honeydew.

They focus on educating children regarding the proper care of their pets, and also help with educational material, food, winter drives [blankets, clothes and soup].

“To date we have sterilised, vaccinated and de-wormed over 7 300 dogs and cats that won’t be contributing to the overpopulation crisis among animals. We are on the lookout for donations in order to keep on assisting the animals and we urge the residents to support us by taking a look at our website and donating whatever they can,” concluded Chitongo.

Details: Karen Chitongo www.animalallies.co.za or 076 511 5451.

Related story:

GALLERY: Animals make a difference