Orphans’ mission to care for abandoned animals
“Not only do we provide shelter for animals, but we are also very active in the surrounding informal settlements. We also offer a sterilisation programme and clinic,” she said.
A local couple’s struggle, having grown up in an orphanage, drove them to have compassion and open an animal shelter in Centurion.
Woodrock Animal Rescue was born 33 years ago, on an 8.5ha piece of land in the Hennops River Valley.
“The animal rescue centre originated in the suburban area of Woodmead and Khyber Rock, hence the name Woodrock,” said co-owner Stella Meldau.
Meldau, along with her husband, Nicholas, started the shelter after their son came across a Dachshund with a broken leg.
“I decided that I could not walk away from this and took the dog in,” she said.
“My husband and I grew up in an orphanage. We knew what it was like not to have a voice and decided that we would always stand for those who did not have one.
“It was a dream that became a reality when we started Woodrock.”
Meldau said Woodrock animal rescue was providing shelter for about 300 animals.
“Not only do we provide shelter for animals, but we are also very active in the surrounding informal settlements. We also offer a sterilisation programme and clinic,” she said.
“The aim of this programme is to try and sterilise 50 animals a week, and so far, it has been a very active campaign.”
Meldau said that there was a need for such a campaign.
“If one dog is left unsterilised, you could end up with 67 000 unwanted dogs born within a period of five years, which is why shelters are so full of dogs.”
She said they got most of their dogs from the informal settlements, adding that these days people not only gave up their animals for adoption due to immigrating but also due to the financial strain as a result of the national lockdown.
Meldau said they also assisted about 150 families with animal feed.
“Another loss we have suffered due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown was from an educational perspective,” she said.
“We always say that if you know better, you will do better and so on average, before the lockdown, we attempted to visit three different schools per month or they would visit us.
“During these visits and after, learners spoke to others about the animals they saw and also brought food, which helped with donations and awareness for the shelter, but more importantly these learners were also educated.
Meldau said Woodrock Animal Rescue was a “big ship to sail”, costing around R400 000 a month to run.
“A lot of people have asked how we manage. Fortunately, we also have a well-managed pet lodge. However, with lockdown rules, no one is travelling and we have lost about R150 000 from that.”
She said the shelter has felt the strain of the lockdown.
“But we have managed and have received so much support from the public,” she said.
“Yes, the national lockdown has impacted us with so many things, like fundraisers, but that only meant that we had to be more creative.”
The shelter had 26 staff members and since the start of lockdown, all of them have been paid their full salary.
“Everyone’s support towards us has been truly overwhelming and we appreciate it so much,” she said.
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
