Cronjé family brings new hope for paws in Secunda
It all began with Alli and Chase, two dogs that were rescued by members of the Cronjé family.
SECUNDA – Hope for Paws is a new animal welfare group in town that was officially registered as a non-profit organisation on Thursday, 14 March.
The Cronjé family members are the hearts and hands behind this new venture to help animals in distress.
Dad David, Mom June, and the sisters Allison and Caelie are ardent animal lovers who have helped all kinds of animals, including a porcupine. Messrs Jean Anfield and Jonathan Millson are equally involved with the rescue missions.
Allison, a local well-known model and modelling school owner, is the driving force behind Hope for Paws. Her first real rescue was Alli, a half dead crossbred hound puppy that they found in a drain water ditch.
“We took Alli home and she grew into a beautiful and loving member of our family. She offers comfort and reassurance to new dogs that we rescue,” said Ms Cronjé.
She said the true journey towards founding Hope for Paws began about a year ago when Caelie found Chase, a thorough-bred greyhound, on the streets of Secunda.
“He was badly abused. His toenails were pulled out and he had pierced wounds in the lower back. We eventually took him to the vet. Today he is a healthy, playful boy. He and Alli are inseparable.”
There have been several other rescues since Chase, including Footloose, a black three-legged puppy that was found at farmworker dwellings. This puppy was so small it had to be fed with a bottle dropper, but today he is flourishing at his forever home with owner Ms Melandri Lamprecht.
The Cronjé family are currently fostering and rehabilitating eight rescued dogs. Some need more emotional healing than physical healing.
“We help them to regain their confidence. We now have Jack up for adoption. His owner gave him away to a random stranger when he was extremely ill. I had to buy him off the stranger in a green strip to try and save his life. Jack luckily pulled through and is today a healthy bouncing Jack Russell with a larger than life personality,” said Mr David Cronjé.
Ms Cronjé said Hope for Paws wants to co-operate with other animal welfare organisations.
“We are the voice for those who cannot speak.” According to Mr Cronjé, Hope for Paws is an open book for anyone who wants to know what donations are used for. “Our constitution makes provision for donors to also be part of the management.”
Their first official event as Hope for Paws will be a fashion show in conjunction with Alla’s Modelling School that will be held at the Eendedam Summer Market on 24 March.
For more information about Hope for Paws, contact Ms Cronjé at 072 697 0474.
