We are thrilled to share with you the Veterinary Assist and Animal Shelter Project, based in Cape Town, which we are opening for volunteers from 2012 onwards

A sister project to our existing Cape Town Community Projects (Teaching, Sports and Medical) this project is perfect for vet students and animal lovers alike and is a unique opportunity to experience the in’s and out’s of a shelter and clinic serving the surrounding impoverished communities and their animals.

Volunteers who join this project will be able to get involved in a large range of work at the shelter (which houses domestic animals only, usually dogs and cats) including work in the onsite clinic.  The shelter serves the surrounding communities in which our sister community projects work and provides animal care and veterinary assistance for those who can’t afford to get their animals the care they need. We have even had sick dogs arrive at the clinic having being pushed all the way there by their owners in a shopping trolley!

In addition to getting involved at the actual shelter, volunteers will also be able to go out with the mobile clinic into the surrounding areas on a rotational daily basis to seek out animals in need.  In this way, volunteers will gain an intimate and unique exposure to the people and animals of the communities in which we work, as they will actually be going  into people’s homes as part of the mobile clinic’s rounds to help needy animals.  Another very important and popular aspect of this project is the education talks the shelter undertakes within the community – educating them on how to care for their pets properly and why they should do so.

We have been working with the shelter for about a year now, ensuring a mutually suitable relationship for both us and them during this time, with remarkable feedback thus far from all volunteers and the shelter alike.

As a well established project we would now like to share this programme with you as we feel absolutely positive from the relationships we have built with the shelter that any volunteers who choose to take a  place on the project will have an absolutely amazing and unique experience!

On a personal note (and I shouldn’t be biased but just can’t help it!) this project really is one of my best – the shelter started with a dream in Cape Town 11 years ago. It has really grown from there, doing tremendously valuable work in the surrounding impoverished communities  helping the animals while simultaneously supporting the community in how to care for their animals.  They are pro-life and so only euthanise animals when they are beyond recovery and therefore are often overflowing but are so passionate about what they do, it just shines through in every way!

Our very loved family dog Cola came from the shelter as a rescued puppy who was very meek and timid when she came to us but really grew into an wonderful companion for the whole family and she was much loved (sadly, she had a heart attack earlier this year and she died peacefully at home).

Caryn.

Cape Town