For a very good Cawse

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The relationship between humans and pets varies from the doted-on family "member" to the simple need for security. These bonds, influenced by behaviour, affect the emotional, psychological and physical health and well-being of both humans and animals.

Now, more than ever, these relationships are strained or broken due to economic challenges.

These factors brought a group of local people together in 2021 to form a much-needed private, community-based animal welfare in Graaff-Reinet.

Camdeboo Animal Welfare (Cawse), Shelter and Education will encourage and aid positive relationships through the following services and programs:

Sterilisation

Sterilisation of dogs and cats (domestic and feral) is one of their primary goals, as it reduces the financial strain on pet owners, as well as the suffering of animals. The Western Cape has recently passed a law stating that all cats and dogs over six months old are to be sterilised. Cawse aims to assist financially and physically towards this purpose, which may be implemented in the Eastern Cape. They will work alongside CSI (Camdeboo Sterilisation Initiative) and local veterinarians to finance and organise Spayathons.

Elimination of parasites

Elimination of parasites, especially ticks, fleas, mites and worms in pets, is of great importance, as it also affects the health of their owners. These can be controlled through dipping and administering de-worming medication. Cawse will offer these treatments at their premises, as soon as the building is completed. Until then, they will go into the townships to administer these treatments, as part of their outreach program.

The majority of pet owners care for and love their pets. While Cawse would prefer to offer medical treatment to pets in need, this is often too costly or too late to help the animal. Therefore, it is important to be able to euthanise pets who are suffering, reducing both the physical suffering of pets and emotional trauma to their owners. Cawse has drawn up plans to build kennels, where people can surrender pets instead of abandoning them. They will also have designated kennels for short-term borders, allowing owners peace of mind that their pets will be safe and well cared for during this time.

By educating people on correct pet care and the importance thereof, Cawse can improve the lives of both the pets and their owners in our community. Their education team plans to meet with all sectors of our community by going to the townships, schools and community centres, as well as hosting education days at the kennels. Cawse has joined a local NPO, opened a bank account and is ready for fundraising, purchasing land, building facilities and opening the much-needed shelter by the end of this year.

They plan to buy a plot of land in the industrial area, which has easy, safe access for people from both the township as well as the town and surrounding farms. However, they face the daunting task of raising over half a million rands to do so. The 3 000m² plot has been virtually divided into 1m² pieces - puzzle pieces to be precise. These can be sponsored by anyone, for R200 per piece.

Nicola Woods, who has been instrumental in setting up Cawse, asks, "Please encourage and challenge friends, family and businesses to sponsor Cawse for only R200 per puzzle piece, enabling us to assist thousands of animals in need. We will keep you updated as to how our Cawse puzzle is going, so keep an eye out for that."

Everyone has their own unique set of skills, from knowledge and experience to personality types or physical abilities. Your skills can help Cawse.

Being a community-based organisation, they offer the opportunity for everyone to become involved with the organisation, setting up and running of Cawse. Nicola explains: "We are in the process of gathering a committee as well as several sub-committees including education, headed by Susan Edwardes; outreach, headed by Hillary Chapman; animal handlers, headed by Anita Oberholster and promotions and media, headed by myself."

They also need dedicated people to work as part of these teams or head up one of the following sub-committees: sterilisation and spayathons, fundraising/events coordinators, adoption/fostering, volunteer coordinators, construction/building maintenance, finances and legal. They are also looking for representatives from Aberdeen, Nieu-Bethesda, Kendrew and surrounding farms.

Cawse will be holding their first meeting on Monday 24 January at 13:00 at the Assembly Church Cafe. If you are interested in becoming part of the team or would like more information, please join them. The main presentation will take about 30 minutes and there won't be any pressure to join Cawse.

For catering purposes, please RSVP at Whatsapp 076 134 6326 or email cawse.grt@gmail.com .