Pretoria east animal rescue appeals for help as partner shelter faces financial crisis

An animal rescue centre in the east of Pretoria is appealing to residents for urgent assistance after a partner shelter that helps accommodate rescued animals announced that it is facing severe financial strain.

For the past 25 years, Pretoria east resident Heidi Pollard has dedicated her life to rescuing and rehabilitating abandoned cats and dogs through her organisation, Pretoria East Animal Rescue.

Pollard and her team work tirelessly to remove animals from situations of abuse, neglect, and irresponsible breeding, often stepping in when pets have been abandoned or can no longer be cared for by their owners.

Currently, one of the shelters that assists by housing animals rescued by her organisation, Delmas Animal Shelter, has issued a public plea for assistance as it battles to stay afloat.

“The shelter is currently experiencing one of the toughest periods in its existence and does not have sufficient funds to cover operational expenses,” said Pollard.

The shelter indicated that it is struggling to pay staff salaries, while veterinary bills, fuel, and utility costs continue to mount.

Pollard explained that organisations like Delmas Animal Shelter play a crucial role in the broader rescue network, particularly for animals that cannot immediately be placed in foster care or permanent homes.

“We rely on shelters like Delmas to assist us with placements when space becomes available. Without them, many of these animals would have nowhere safe to go,” she said.

Pollard said she was initially motivated to start rescuing animals due to her love for them and the growing problem of backstreet breeders.

“We always pick up the pieces in the end when animals are bred for profit and then discarded,” she explained.

She described backstreet breeders as unregistered individuals who breed animals purely for financial gain, often keeping them in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.

“They mix breeds and keep animals in terrible conditions. It’s abuse, plain and simple,” she added.

Her organisation’s work focuses largely on rescuing and sterilising feral cats, although the team also responds to emergency calls involving dogs, birds, and other domestic animals.

Pollard said trapping, sterilising and relocating cats where possible is one of the most effective ways to manage growing feral populations and prevent further suffering.

In cases where animals are severely ill or injured, euthanasia may be considered as a last resort to prevent prolonged pain. Animal rescue, she added, often overlaps with social services.

Pollard and her team are sometimes called upon when children are removed from abusive homes to ensure that family pets are also placed in safe environments.

“We step in to rescue the animals so that they are not left behind in those situations,” she said.

Pretoria East Animal Rescue operates as part of community outreach initiatives and does not have a formal shelter of its own.

As a result, rescued animals are placed with foster families, farms or shelters such as Delmas Animal Shelter when space allows.

However, many of these facilities are already under immense pressure due to increasing numbers of abandoned pets and limited financial resources.

Pollard said donations remain critical to ensure that animals receive the care they need.

“Food donations and financial contributions help cover medical bills and basic supplies. Volunteers are also desperately needed to assist with feeding, cleaning and caring for the animals,” she said.

Delmas Animal Shelter is currently appealing for donations of dry dog and cat food as it works to continue caring for animals already in its care.

Pollard urged residents to support both rescue organisations and shelters wherever possible.

“Every single bag of food, every bit of help, makes a difference,” she said.

Delmas Animal Shelter can be contacted on 060 613 1048 or 076 808 6684.

Did you know: nominations for the Best of Pretoria 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards are currently open and we have recently added new categories to our list of possible nominations. Why not show your support for Pretoria East Rescue Center by nominating them for Best of Pretoria in the Best Animal Shelter category. Simply visit: bestofsouthafrica.co.za/pretoria to nominate them and show your love!

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