Giving is Living- Cape Town

26/08/2026

The shocking abuse horses have to endure, doesn't let up!

23/08/2026

Angel came to us 18 months ago after being found stuck in a cattle gate, pregnant and terrified. She had been chased by local hooligan kids, in the area where these vermin specialise in ‘riding’, abusing and tormenting the farm/rural ponies. The owner of the farm was prepared to shoot her to get her off his property, but thanks to a number of local heroes, she was pulled out - horrifically her legs were lacerated and ripped open. Luckily no permanent ligament or tendon damage and she was taken to Wellington hospital to be treated and bandaged. Shortly thereafter she came to us for rehabilitation and rest, until her foal was born. Rascal was born, just over a year ago and is a perfect little c**t, with no injuries as result of the abuse his mom suffered while carrying him (amazingly his legs have white patches in the same area that his mom suffered her leg injuries – almost in sympathy for the agony that she went through). Angel has come a long way from attacking us when touched, and flinching when offered a treat - the modus operandi out there is for those kids is to offer the horses treats and when the horses approach, they hit the horse across the head. She now allows herself to be groomed, takes treats, has her feet trimmed, accepts being blanketed and is much calmer with people around her. Her little moustache (a result of foraging on rocks and barren ground – looking for scarce food) is still present but Rascal shows no sign of one, having had ample food since he was born. The sad reality is that had Angel not been chased until she fell into the gate, been rescued and had the chance to have her baby in a safe, well fed and cared for environment – Rascal most likely would not have survived. Countless other horses are out there, in the rural areas, close to Cape Town and there is no help for them. They have fallen through the cracks as far as the Animal Protection Act goes and despite what most people believe – horses can’t live on what little grass there may be in the fields they are confined to. They need proper nutrition, feet trimmed, deworming and access to sufficient clean water. Colic from dehydration and bush racing are regular death sentences for these forgotten beautiful beasts.

21/08/2026

09/08/2026

The days may be getting warmer but the nights are still freezing, made worse every time it rains – the temperatures plummet. Go outside and put your hand flat on the ground and feel how cold it is. Countless dogs sleep on icy ground like that and when it rains , how unbearable must that be?! The scraps of ‘’food’’ these dogs may be lucky to get, is used up trying to keep themselves warm – no wonder so many of them look like skeletons. A kennel helps in so many ways – keeps them dry and warm, calmer from feeling safer, improves their body condition as the food can now be used as it should. A kennel with bedding and food costs as little as R300 and will be the most compassionate thing you can do today - a mansion and life of luxury compared to what they had before. Some owners try - a lot just don't care. And our kennels are not only for the ‘women’ dogs out there – we don’t discriminate – just insist that the dog gets sterilised. 39 kennels have just gone out to Paws and Co and Community Animal Action In Hermanus and Gansbaai, to house the dogs sterilised at their recent spay day

04/08/2026

More grateful than we can say to all our donors who made it possible for us to provide the funds sterilise, vaccinate, tick & flea treat, deworm and supply food bags for the 32 dogs & cats in the recent spay day in Abbotsdale, on 30 June . The community, who have no welfare help in that area – are vocally grateful to Odette from Tom Ro Haven for Equines and Children, for making it possible. Her unwavering commitment and numerous hours that she put in make the day a success, make it a pleasure to support.

25/07/2026

Thursday last week it rained non stop in Cape Town. Barack has spent that day and for who knows how long, padlocked and chained on a twisted heavy duty chain not more than a metre long. He has been living 24 hours a day on a pile of stones with the chain padlocked tightly around his neck – no collar. We arrived to drop a kennel for him and he wanted to tear us apart. The frustration and pain of living in those conditions, made him extremely aggressive. After yelling at the ‘’owners’’ to find the key and release him, they eventually complied, reluctantly. The bewilderment that we were making them do it - was incomprehensible! As far as they were concerned the conditions were fine – ‘’dis net a hond’’. When we left him – in a collar, on a 5m chain with access to his new kennel and a plate of food - he already was much calmer and will at least now be dry and feel safe. The exposure of being chained to a post all his life, poked at with a pole to retrieve his bowl – that confusion was mirrored in his eyes and in his aggressive behavior. To explain that to these ‘’owners’’ is like talking to a fog. At least this pair co-operated and will hopefully see the result of humane care.
While some may shout ‘’call the SPCA’’ – the SPCA is obliged by law to first issue warnings and then when those warnings are ignored they can get a court order to remove the dog. In the meantime the dog still suffers. If the current victim is removed, these sub-human owners merely get another dog – and the cycle start again. The threat of a R40,000 fine or jail time ito the law means nothing to them. The only way the majority of the un-coperative ones will learn is spot fines issued by Law Enforcement or having their SASSA drink money docked with a fine.

23/07/2026

Without any shelter and protection from the elements, Blackie, Cody and Tessa face another cold, wet winter – huddled in muddy holes to try and stay warm. Wet fur traps moisture leading to rapid drops in body temperature and severe physical weakness. Add no food in days - their bodies start to consume their own muscle and fat reserves resulting in organ failure. The desperate trauma evident in their eyes is what drives rescuers to keep going out into communities to help dogs like Blackie, Cody and Tessa.
By contributing towards food and kennels, you can be a part of the drive - helping us with the resources needed to keep the supplies of kennels and food flowing.
R300 provides a kennel & bedding plus 2 tins of food.

Bank Details
Giving is Living
FNB
Current account
Acc #: 6282 733 5846

21/07/2026

A chained Rottie called BEAR was found recently by Sam from Pitter Patter Little Paw. He was chained with a meter long, tangled heavy, duty chain and living on rubbish and in utter filth. BEAR had sores all over him from having to sleep on tins and in the wet, dirty mess. The length of the chain and the time he was kept tied so tightly that he could hardly move, has caused damage to his neck, but he is being treated for it now. Sam has rehomed BEAR and asked us for a large kennel for him. We snapped into action and sent him the first of the Mandela day sponsored kennels = a Rottie sized one that he can call home. BEAR can now live the way a dog should!

12/07/2026

TURN EMPATHY INTO ACTION!

This Mandela Day, let your 67 minutes of action create a lasting impact.

11/07/2026

GIVING IS LIVING- CAPE TOWN