A Kraaifontein animal-welfare organisation is in a race against time to stop 250 shelter animals ending up homeless.
Change for the Better Foundation, a pro-life animal-rescue group, has been leasing premises on the Shandon Farm, on the corner of Bottelary and Botfontein roads, for two-and-a-half years, but now the farm is up for sale, and the foundation’s lease expires at the end of next month.
It has first option to buy the farm, but it is funded through donations and cannot afford the R4.8 million asking price.
Annelie van Wyk, the foundation’s director, said it had started a fund-raising campaign, “Buy a Brick. Protect a Paw”, to buy the farm and stop the shelter animals ending up as strays.
The public are encouraged to buy a brick for R50. Each brick can bear the buyer’s name, the name of their pet or business.
“We need to sell one brick to at least 100 000 people in order to raise enough funds to buy the farm,” she said.
The prospect of losing the farm gave her sleepless nights, she said.
“This community needs us; there are no other animal-care facilities in the area, which means the public would have to walk or travel long distances to get help for their sick pet.
“All animals are treated for free and even sterilisation is at no cost. This is funded through our charity workshops and people who support our tuck shop at the farm because sterilisation could cost you a big buck.”
Visit www.changeforthebetterfoundation.co.za/buyabrick if you want to support the campaign.
