An organisation in Onderstepoort, north of Pretoria, is confronting a growing crisis, the care and rehabilitation of stray, neglected and abused animals.

The Soshanguve Animal Shelter and Educentre NPC is steadily becoming a lifeline for vulnerable animals while empowering the community through education and awareness.

Founded by Tebogo Maredi, the shelter was established in response to the overwhelming number of stray and mistreated animals in the area.

Maredi said the need for intervention was impossible to ignore.

“We saw a need for a dedicated space where animals could receive medical care, rehabilitation, and ultimately find loving homes,” said Maredi.

Since its inception, the shelter has provided a haven for animals rescued from harsh conditions.

Maredi said its mission goes beyond rescue.

Through its Educentre, the organisation is actively working to break the cycle of neglect by educating the community, especially young people, about responsible pet ownership.

“In many cases, neglect and abandonment happen due to a lack of awareness. We want to ensure future generations understand the importance of compassion toward animals,” explained Maredi.

According to Maredi, running an animal shelter comes with challenges ranging from limited funding, high veterinary costs and the logistics involved in transporting and rescuing animals remain daily hurdles.

He said the sheer number of animals needing help can be overwhelming.

“Limited funding, the high costs of veterinary care, and transportation for rescues are some of the biggest hurdles we encounter.

“The number of animals in need can be overwhelming, and we often struggle to meet the demand while ensuring each animal receives the necessary medical attention.”

Despite these obstacles, the shelter continues to press forward, driven by passion and community support.

Medical care is a cornerstone of the shelter’s operations, as every rescued animal is assessed immediately, and urgent cases are transported to facilities such as Onderstepoort Veterinary Hospital for professional treatment.

The shelter also works with local veterinarians to provide vaccinations, sterilisations and general healthcare.

“Our biggest financial challenge is covering vet bills,” added Maredi, noting that the shelter relies heavily on donor support to sustain its work.

Collaborations with groups like Ginger Love Gauteng further extend the shelter’s reach through donations, networking and emergency assistance.

Maredi hopes to expand facilities to accommodate more rescues and establish a fully equipped learning centre for children, while securing more reliable funding to improve medical care and transport services.

Community members can support the shelter by donating pet food, blankets and cleaning supplies, volunteering their time, organising fundraisers or simply spreading awareness.

Also read: Group challenges metro over Mamelodi cemetery neglect

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