Pug Rescue still going strong
Cheryl said they are humbled by what they receive from their directors, the government, vets, volunteers, donors and sponsors.
Pug Rescue recorded a net profit of R627 257 through donations, fund-raising and sponsorship during the financial year March 2019 to February 2020.
The profit margin remained fairly constant compared to previous financial year.
This was revealed at the animal welfare organisation’s AGM held on August 22, at their premises in the Benoni North Agricultural Holdings.
Founder Cheryl Gaw said Pug Rescue continues to stand firm in its vision to rescue, rehabilitate, re-home and offer sanctuary to pugs.
“The 2019/2020 financial year has seen an increase in the number of rescues needing our assistance.
“The reasons continue to mainly be emigration and financial distress.
“The past year saw a record number of rescues achieved in our care at any given time, reaching 204.”
Since the start of Pug Rescue SA they have rescued 2 166 animals, of which 271 were not pugs but ‘honorary pugs’.
“At no time or for any reason will we ever compromise the well-being, safety and security of any of our rescues.”
Cheryl said veterinary care remains their greatest cost despite the generous discounts they receive from the vets they make use of.
Community outreach
The organisation’s Thanda Inja community outreach project continues to grow from strength to strength.
“We have consistently offered this service to the community of Daveyton for the past six years.
“We would not be able to offer such as successful outreach without the ongoing support from the state
vets, Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and our anchor vet Dr Bernadette Eales.
“The outreach is now a part of Pug Rescue SA’s offering, resources permitting. It has run for another year and is recognised and respected as a Pug Rescue initiative.
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“Without fail, every second Tuesday the Pug Rescue SA team packs up and serves Daveyton community – taking veterinary care to our communities.
“The partnering with government and Dr Eales is working well, despite being labour and resource intensive.”
New land
“We have the ongoing challenge of acquiring the land behind Pug Rescue, being 83 Kirschner Road.
“We made a commitment to our supporter who purchased the land to obtain funding from USA but we were let down and in turn we have let down our supporter.
Funding for the land remains therefore a high priority.
“The acquisition of the land makes sense in every way to enable us to expand Pug Rescue and build a non-profit animal welfare hospital.”
Pug Rescue SA chairperson Malcolm Gaw shared that each year the demands and activities increase.
“With basic resources, we cope with this increasing and challenging situation.
The regular and successful Yappy Fundraisers took place every month in Benoni.
“We also continue to share resources and food donations with other animal welfare and rescue organisations when possible.”
“We will have to replace six wooden wendy huts next year as these, despite regular maintenance, have served their purpose.
Grass mowing continues to be the biggest task in summer months.
Maintenance of equipment costs are high, however, the cost of investing in industrial equipment is heavier.”
Key challenges/priorities
Cheryl said: “To become even more efficient in our daily tasks at the sanctuary, we are always looking for better ways of doing things.”
She said they are continuously looking to build on obtaining regular donations and sponsorships, both locally and internationally.
“We continue talking about finding a good fund-raiser or vet nurse. The sanctuary manager position is still a work in progress, as we do need someone 24/7.
“We are also looking to further leverage social media to find more reliable regular volunteers locally and in other centres as well as for fundraising.
“Another vision is the realisation of our own Thanda Inja Animal Welfare Hospital with our own vets, mobile vet trucks and ambulances.”
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She said they have worked hard at maintaining the standards and contributions that ensure the health, safety and security of the rescues.
“Thank you to each and every person and company that has directly and indirectly contributed to this.”
Cheryl said they are humbled by what they receive from their directors, the government, vets, volunteers, donors and sponsors.
“During the last financial year we have once again never defaulted on a financial commitment, our medicine boxes have been full and our food room has always had sufficient good quality food.
“Because of the constant support from our donors and sponsors, our rescues benefit everyday. We are truly blessed.”
Clementine:
During the AGM, Cheryl received an urgent message regarding a pug in distress and needed to attend to her urgently.
The City Times went back on the Sunday to see how Clementine was doing.
“We have lost Clementine. In surgery the specialist veterinary team discovered that Clementine’s front leg could not be corrected due to the duration of the injury.
On top of this her congenital defect of her spine meant that she would be paralysed in her hind legs.
“Ultimately, this would have meant Clem would have use of only one of her legs for the rest of her life.
“After trying every option possible to save her, we made the shattering decision together to send Clementine to heaven.
“Thank you to the amazing Dr Kitshoff, Sr Tammy and the rest of the team at Onderstepoort for doing all you could for Clem.”
