It’s a quiet day at the Domestic Animal Rescue Group (Darg), according to the pro-life, non-profit’s office manager, Joy O’Malley, and yet there is a steady stream of volunteers who collect leashes from a stash and fetch a dog to take for a walk.
Ms O’Malley says they are fortunate to have about 40 dedicated volunteers to do this important task for some of the 80-odd strays in residence.
Co-managing director Faustina Gardner has her hands full with an excited small dog that wants to play and greet guests rather than get vaccinated.
Darg rescues, cares for, sterilises and rehomes previously abused, neglected and abandoned cats and dogs. But this comes at huge cost.
Ms Gardner says Darg attends to 30 to 45 emergencies and sick animals weekly. “We frequently have sick or injured cats and dogs brought to our gates and deal with bite wounds from dog attacks, stabbings, viruses, poisoning, etc.”
She adds that vet bills for this service average R55 000 a month but have been as high as R120 000. Hence the need to complete the Rush Ndou Community Clinic that will service animals in Imizamo Yethu and Hangberg.
The clinic, says Ms Gardener, is named after “a very special” 12-year-old girl who died from cancer. ”She loved all her dogs and cats in her adoptive home, especially ‘her’ dog, Banjo, a golden retriever, who became a service dog for the SA Guide Dogs. She helped raise him from a puppy before she passed away.“
The clinic’s opening has been delayed because the three containers that are part of it had to be stripped due to oil-damaged floors and leaking ceilings. When complete, one of the containers will house the consulting rooms, another will hold animal cages and the third will be the reception area.
Ms Gardner, whose background is in education, says the plan is to have a screen in the reception area showing tips on caring for domesticated animals, information on deadly viruses, and so on. It will also provide information in Xhosa, Afrikaans and English about psycho-social support groups, workshops and training that are available through different outreach programmes in Hout Bay.
“The primary goal is to help the animals brought into our clinic but at the same time assist the owners by providing information about how they can get help with personal challenges they might be facing.”
Below the clinic is a charity shop, two wendy houses filled with fiction and non-fiction books and a prefab building from where the Underdog Project operates. The project uses animal-assisted activities and therapeutic workshops to teach empathy to youngsters and bring joy to troubled dogs.
At the rear, are two more areas for cats. One has scratch posts, dangly toys and cosy spaces for a snooze. The other is a wild garden.
There are numerous outdoor and indoor kennel areas and an indoor room for animals in treatment or rehabilitation. In one of these, a ginger cat purrs as her two tiny kittens tumble over her, their eyes only just open.
Ms O’Malley says two boys delivered the cat, called Mina by Darg, and her kittens in a box. The kittens will be up for adoption once Mina has finished nursing.
Darg fund-raiser Debra Buys says the public can help to complete the clinic by sponsoring a plaque to be displayed on the clinic wall.
“The plaques can feature a company logo or personal message, and options range from R3 350 as a secondary sponsor to R10 000 or more as a primary sponsor.”
Contact 021 790 0383 or info@darg.org.za
