SAID receives double honour for animal welfare
Fundraising coordinator at Said says that the organisation hopes the recognition will also draw attention to the urgent need for accessible sterilisation services in underserved communities.
The Society for Animals in Distress (Said) has been recognised in the prestigious 2026 African Excellence Awards, receiving both the Mobile Veterinary Outreach Organisation of the Year and the Animal Welfare Excellence Award.
The awards acknowledge the life-changing work being carried out through the Said Mobile Veterinary Clinic, which has been operating since 2024 to bring critical veterinary care directly into impoverished and vulnerable communities across Gauteng.
Read more: Midrand SPCA calls for responsible pet ownership amid rising reports of cruelty
From Tembisa, Ivory Park, to Riverside, Soshanguve, and surrounding areas, the mobile clinic provides veterinary support to animals and families who would otherwise have little to no access to care.
In partnership with the University of Pretoria faculty of veterinary science and the student-led VetSCO group, the clinic has also become an important platform for training the next generation of veterinarians and veterinary nurses in real-world animal welfare outreach.
At every outreach, the team regularly treats well over 100 animals in a single day, and the services provided include vaccinations, deworming, dipping, emergency stabilisation, humane euthanasia where necessary, owner education, and access to sterilisation programmes.
Animals requiring surgery or advanced treatment are admitted into Said’s hospital for further care before being returned to their owners.
Many of the animals seen during outreach campaigns have suffered silently for years, and some arrive with severe fractures, untreated wounds, advanced disease, or life-threatening conditions.
Also read: SPCA warns residents after influx of cruelty reports
Fundraising coordinator at Said, Keshvi Nair, said that this award belonged to every single person who had stood beside them in the communities they served.
“It belongs to the donors, veterinary staff, students, volunteers, and community members who continue to fight alongside us for animals that so often go unseen and unheard.
Every outreach reminds us that access to veterinary care is still a privilege in many parts of South Africa.
We meet animals suffering in silence every single day, but we also meet people who love their animals deeply and simply do not have the resources to access help,” said Nair.
Said is currently driving its Twenty Twenty Fix campaign, which aims to sterilise 2 026 animals before the end of 2026 in an effort to reduce overpopulation, neglect, and unnecessary suffering.
“Our goal has never been simply to treat animals for one day and leave; it is about creating sustainable welfare change, supporting communities with dignity, and ensuring that animals are not left to suffer simply because they were born in circumstances beyond their control.”
Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
