With the third wave of COVID19 underway, leading Veterinary Clinic and Rescue non-profit organization (NPO), TEARS Animal Rescue is appealing to the public to help them feed hungry community pets as the charity battles to cope with the alarming number of starving and hypothermic homeless animals that they are rescuing daily. Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when one’s body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature.
TEARS rescues and treats approximately 1050 animals every month, and currently 60% of the admissions to the TEARS Kennel and Cattery is as a direct result of pet owners no longer being able to afford to feed their pets. Comparatively, this number was less than 40% two years ago.
Says TEARS Operations Manager Mandy Store, “The sad reality is that winter has always been challenging for vulnerable companion animals living in low-income communities. But the knock-on effect of COVID and the loss of income for so many pet owners has made a bad situation even worse. Despite giving kennels, blankets, and additional pet food when these are available, the TEARS Veterinary Hospital reports that they continue to see pet deaths due to hypothermia, exposure to the elements, and severe malnutrition.”
Despite the TEARS Kennel and Cattery operating at capacity, the TEARS Mobile Clinic continues to rescue numerous emaciated and homeless animals. The team managed to save two newborn puppies from a property in Ocean View recently after a heavy rainstorm led to the death of three out of the litter of five, due to exposure.
Says TEARS Head of Marketing and Fundraising, Lara Van Rensburg, “We’re appealing to the public to lend their support by contributing to the Give Warmth Campaign. Sponsoring one bag of pet food for one hungry community pet, for a month, costs R150. This campaign not only raises awareness for the harsh realities faced by homeless animals but by giving to the campaign, supporters are able to create a tangible impact by changing the life of an animal in need.”
Make a difference by sponsoring a bag of pet food through the Give Warmth Campaign https://tears.org.za/give-warmth/
