For those that cannot speak...

Those of you who know me, know that I LOVE animals. I've grown up with cats and dogs all my life, and join tons of animal groups and organizations on Facebook in support of them. I've come to the sad realization that one can't simply say, "shame" and join a page and think that they are helping or contributing. Watching clips of animal torture, hearing it on the radio or reading about it doesn't help matters either. The reality is that there will always be animal abuse (yes, and not forgetting human abuse - but that's a whole other topic), but what can we do to prevent some of it, eliminate part of it and just do our bit for these creatures that don't ask for much, who love us often without question, and who can't speak for themselves?

I'm not adding any abuse images to this blog, though a picture speaks a thousand words, there are more than enough on the internet and that's not the purpose of this post. When I read or hear about what goes on in the world; I feel sick, furious and sad. I'm tired of just sitting back with these feelings and hoping it will all just go away, or worse trying to ignore it. Ask yourself, are you really ok with someone being fined a couple of hundred bucks for killing a puppy deliberately? Or the kids treating that kitten like a cricket ball? Yes, I don't want to read this kind of thing either and I'm upset just typing this, but what are we going to do? Unfortunately we can't legally take someone and smash them around with a bat (that's how strongly I feel about this), but why aren't there stricter punishments in place? How about jail time...not a few days, I'm talking about years and plenty - without bail.

I'm going to do a lot more research about this, and anyone who can offer some advice on where to go from here (the right channels or who to contact) or who want to join me,  I welcome your input, assistance or help. We're all put on this earth for a reason, and I believe there is a reason that I feel so strongly about this sort of thing, and I for one don't want to sit back anymore and pretend it doesn't exist.

On that note, I've researched a few great organizations doing their bit for animals. I know we can't support each and every single one of them, some months we can't even support one, but if you can - take a few minutes to see what these fantastic organizations are doing to make a difference. You'd be surprised at how far even R20 will go. I'll update in my next post about this which ones I've chosen, even if it's R20 a month - it's still a lot better than nothing.

TEARS - www.tears.org.za
TEARS is a pro-life organisation based in Sunnydale (near Kommetjie). Our core aim is to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home abandoned, abused and neglected dogs and cats. We care for over 250 rescued animals at any given time. To date, we have found homes for almost 10 000 dogs and cats.

Wetnose Animal Rescue Centre -  http://www.wetnose.org.za
Wet Nose Animal Rescue Centre was opened in April 1999 by Tracy Forte who had a belief that all animals deserve a second chance in life and that healthy animals should not be killed just because they are unwanted. A safe haven had to be opened for these precious babies where they stand a chance of getting a new loving home. Wet Nose is a registered non-profit organisation devoted to the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of lost, abandoned and neglected animals. They are a right to life organisation and do not believe in euthanasia, except in the most extreme cases – they try and re-home all the animals into loving homes after they have been rehabilitated and sterilised. To date they have successfully re-homed over 20 500 dogs, 1 700 cats, donkeys, a goat, horses, guinea pigs, pigs and rabbits.

P.E.T.S - Pets Empowerment in Townships - http://www.pets.org.za
PETS is a non-profit, pro-active, pro-life animal rescue organisation, run by a group of members that still have to work full time and is indebted to all our wonderful foster mom's, and families. Without your support structure, only a small amount of what we do today would be possible. We do not sit around and wait for animals in need to come to us, instead we spend every free minute we have (much to the distress of our husband's) in the townships LOOKING for the animals that need help.

Animal Anti-Cruelty League - http://www.aacl.co.za
The Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL), has been protecting and caring for animals since 1956.  It is South Africa's second largest independent Animal Welfare Organization, relying entirely on the generosity and goodwill of the animal-loving public for financial support. We are an organization that gets involved  with all aspects of animal welfare - provide shelter for abandoned animals, promote an efficient adoption programme, prosecute animal cruelty cases, run welfare hospitals for lower income groups, visit underprivileged areas with fully equipped mobile clinics and regularly address schools and clubs on the challenges of animal welfare.