From the back of various cars with an unstructured schedule of volunteers, we offered basic services such as vaccinating, deworming, dipping for flea infestation and mange and handed out food parcels and kennels for the domestic animals. Animals needing veterinary attention and sterilisation were identified and taken to local vets.

After gradually seeing an improvement in the well being of the animals in Masiphumelele, we extended our services in May 2000 to Ocean View and Mountain View Townships and the Redhill Informal Settlement.

We started looking for an alternative location to rent and establish our rescue facility and in April 2002 we found ‘Rock Aloe Farm’, Lekkerwater Road, Sunnydale. The plot consisted of an old farmhouse, with disused stables. We converted part of the house into an office and a storage room, and the stables into kennels. Cats, puppies and kittens were housed in wendy-houses.

Despite its limited facilities, this became the next step closer to our vision.

Over the years, we have grown and outgrown our expectations in providing the service to our community and realised our facilities, not being our own, had limitations in meeting our needs and ultimately reaching our dream. Looming predicaments, such as limited funds and overcrowding of the kennels and cattery, stunted our ability to keep up with our community’s demands and left us facing an uncertain future. Our possible solutions were to either improve our current facility or relocate our operation to a more appropriate location. On an average day, we care for 170 dogs and puppies and 130 cats and kittens. This quantified a more appropriate environment for the necessary service we provide to the community.

We recognised the importance within the disadvantaged communities that it was necessary to take the care to them daily, estimating a population of 100 000 people. In 2004 we were chosen by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to be part of their Community-Led Animal Welfare (CLAW) programme. We were also given sufficient financial aid from IFAW to provide us with an equipped mobile van and the necessary training for one member of staff to manage and run the Mobile Clinic. This provided us with skilled staff which met the needs of the community and also assisted in supporting our community upliftment project.

At this point it was essential to establish our own clinic at TEARS due to the increasing numbers of domestic animals coming in from both the Mobile Clinic and animals being rescued. With an increased amount of animals, came an increased amount of overheads, such as veterinary bills, medication, food, petrol, water and electricity costs. The clinic doors opened in July 2005 with our own veterinarian, offering Primary Health Care, Basic Health Care, Tropical disease management and uncomplicated surgery. Targeting sterilisation as one of the most important services, reached an average of 120 dogs and cats per month. This ultimately would alleviate unnecessary suffering.