Animal Ambulance fights to survive as it rescues Pretoria’s most severely abused animals
The shelter has been a 24-hour lifeline for animals left for dead, abused, dumped while sick or struck by vehicles.
For nearly 24 years, Animal Ambulance has been a lifeline for severely abused, neglected and injured animals.
But despite decades of dedication, the non-profit organisation rely on donations to keep afloat.
Established in April 2002, the shelter specialises in rescuing only the most critical cases of animals that have been severely abused, dumped while sick, hit by cars, or farm animals injured in road accidents.
Unlike many shelters, Animal Ambulance does not take in healthy puppies or easily adoptable pets.
“We don’t take puppies because we only work with severely abused animals,” said founder Maria Henning.
“It’s mostly the adult dogs that get hurt, not puppies. Everybody loves puppies. If it’s an old dog, it stays here until it dies of old age.”
Henning said the shelter, based in Murray Hill, near Hammanskraal, currently has about 170 animals in its care.
“Many of these animals require long-term or lifelong care due to the severity of their injuries or trauma. On average, the organisation assists between 100 and 150 animals through its rescue and rehabilitation efforts.”
Henning explained that the animals they take in often arrive in heartbreaking conditions, some abandoned while ill, others left for dead after being struck by vehicles.
Animal Ambulance does not have an in-house veterinary facility and relies on private veterinarians for treatment, which significantly increases operational costs.
“We transport to private vets, and that is an expense,” Henning explained.
Beyond medical bills, the shelter must cover fuel for rescue missions, electricity, water and staff wages.
“People don’t realise that a shelter runs on more than just animal feed; there are so many hidden costs,” she said.
To help sustain operations, the organisation prints shirts, runs a charity shop and depends heavily on public donations. A wishlist is available on their website, www.animalambulance.co.za.
Residents who wish to donate can drop off items at the Valhalla drop-off point in Centurion or at the farm in Murray Hill.
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