NEWS

WE’RE HOMELESS NO LONGER! And one step closer to realising our vision.

As a forward-thinking organisation we are always striving to improve the way we serve our communities.

Thanks to the wonderful support we receive, we have been able to grow and realise many of dreams, such as providing a daily mobile clinic in the disadvantaged communities; having our own hospital/sterilisation clinic on our premises with our own veterinarian and trained hospital staff; being able to provide employment for underprivileged persons which also ensures that we have sufficient staff to look after the many animals in our care; opening more Charity Shops to help fund our operation, and so on.

Our long-term vision was to own our own property, to secure our future and establish a facility which we would be proud of; a facility which will comprise many facets, including an education centre. For five years we have been renting our premises in Lekkerwater Road, but have always been on the lookout for that “special property”.

Over the years we have been very fortunate to receive a few bequests, and have carefully been saving those funds to put towards a deposit on some land, but still it wasn’t enough. In 2003, we submitted an application to the National Lotteries Board for funding to buy a property, but did not hear from them for a long while.

It’s incredible how things come together. In August we heard about a beautiful property on Kommetjie Road, “Wenga Farm”, which was on the market for R4,5 million. It was the perfect location and certainly big enough (3,1 hectares).

We put in an offer and held our breath. A few days later we heard that our offer had been accepted. Needless to say, there was much jubilation and excitement at TEARS although we were well aware that ahead of us was a huge mountain to climb. Negotiations began with Standard Bank, Fish Hoek, for a loan of R3 million. If the Lotto approved our application, we would have R1,5 million in our account as a deposit on the new property.

The last few months have been a nightmare, trying to secure the money for the deposit and securing the Bank loan. To our delight, Standard Bank approved a loan, but for R2,5 million, an we were able to secure a loan for R500 000 from a private individual. The Lotto also “came to the party” and provided us with a grant of over R1 million, for which we are extremely grateful. If all goes according to plan, transfer of the property will take place in December and, at last, TEARS will have a “home”, our own home! Our biggest dream come true!

The road ahead is a long one. We face the daunting, but challenging and exciting task of raising sufficient funds to repay our huge Bank Loan and plan and build our new shelter. To everyone who has helped to secure our future, we say a BIG THANK YOU! Without you it wouldn’t have been possible.

Have you seen our movie

Shoot the Breeze Productions has produced a comprehensive 25 minute documentary on the vital work TEARS performs in the disadvantaged communities of the Deep South and beyond, and at our shelter. It is available on DVD or VHS for R50. The documentary highlights the great need for TEARS in the community, and the disastrous consequences if TEARS were to close its doors. The message we are conveying is that TEARS is an integral part of the community and with their support, our future can be secured.

If you would like to purchase a copy, please call the TEARS Office, 021 785 4482

Hill’s Science Plan now available from TEARS

TEARS has a selection of the Hill’s Science Plan Pet Nutrition for sale at our Office in Lekkerwater Road, Sunnydale. By purchasing your pet’s food through us, a percentage of the sale will go towards the upkeep of the many animals in our care. Hill’s is the world’s leading pet food, formulated by vets at the Hill’s Science and Technology Centre to provide your pet with all the nutrition he/she needs. High quality ingredients and a balanced nutritional profile help to keep your pet’s teeth, bones and immune system strong and healthy. Hill’s has an on-going commitment to providing great tasting nutrition. In fact, they’re so sure that your pet will love Science Plan that they offer a full money-back guarantee. For more information, visit www.hillspet.com

We were devastated at the time. Having been a “free spirit” for so long, we knew that we couldn’t subject him to confinement in a kennel, or to the noise encountered in a kennel environment. Finding a solution to the problem wasn’t going to be easy. An appeal to the Parks Board to make an exception and leave Tahr on the mountainside was rejected. The media were wonderful and gave Tahr’s plight much publicity, which resulted in overwhelming offers of support from caring, compassionate animal lovers. Many offered Tahr a home, but, after due consideration, we felt that his new home should resemble, as far as possible, the environment to which he was accustomed.

Capturing Tahr wasn’t going to be “a walk in the park”, but we really didn’t expect it to be as problematic as it was. It took over two months of trying to sedate, drug, pole-syringe and even dart him, but to no avail. It was thanks to the bravery of the Tahr Team, in particular Luke and Natalie, that Tahr was captured, barehanded at that! The 12th of February 2006 is certainly a day we will never forget! The fact that Tahr was fed daily by Cindy Dollery of Happy Valley Home and by Manuella Pasanisi and residents of Admiralskloof, helped in the rehabilitation process. Also, thanks to the Parks Board for giving us extensions of time to enable us to interact with Tahr on his mountain before capture, he became more trusting of humans, and the Tahr Team of Luke, Natalie, Danielle, Brian and Jared were able to visit him almost daily, to try and win his trust. A decision was made that, when captured, Tahr would be relocated to the home of TEARS Director, Marilyn Hoole, on Boyes Drive, Lakeside. The fairly large property backs onto the mountainside, has a waterfall and a pond and resembles the habitat Tahr was accustomed to. Also, the volunteers would be able to have free access to him if he was at Marilyn’s home, as would other interested people.

Given that we are a Pro-Life Organisation and very proud of our pro-life policy, we made a very difficult decision. Tahr would be given up to six months to show signs of rehabilitation. If he never responded and succumbed to depression, choosing to hide away, with no quality of life, we would be forced to put him to sleep. The very thought terrified us and made the volunteers even more determined to win his trust.

We need not have even considered such an option! Tahr has taken to his new environment like a duck to water and continues to surprise us with his behaviour.

Certain Animal Behaviourists didn’t give him a chance, saying he would never adapt. Well, he proved them wrong too! No, the accompanying photograph has not been doctored! Tahr loves lying and romping on our bed with his many canine friends. Needless to say the bed never looks as though it has been made! He prefers to sleep outside, on our balcony, but if it rains, he often comes indoors with our other dogs. As long as he has an escape route to the outside, he is happy.

Every event is exiting for this special boy. It’s as though he is trying to make up for lost time. When I arrive home, he hears the TEARS vehicle on the driveway and rushes up to the gate, barking furiously. By the time I enter the house, via the garage, Tahr has run round the house, entered through the balcony door, run up the stairs, and is there to greet me in the lounge, bouncing up and down in excitement. Although he doesn’t make direct contact, he comes very close. Mealtimes are met with the same enthusiasm, bouncing, barking, running up and down the garden path, as though he hadn’t had a meal in ages. Visits from canine friends and people he knows are special occasions and he welcomes them with much tail wagging and barking.

Tahr has formed a special bond with Lassie, our old Collie cross (kindred spirits) and thinks she is the next best thing to meaty bones! Lassie, the alpha dog, has accepted him as part of the pack, defleaing and grooming him regularly. This Tahr loves and he and Lassie spend much time together on our balcony. It’s so heartwarming to see and such a comfort to know that Tahr is safe, and happy, in his new home.