30/05/2026
May 2018 - passing the baton onto the next generation - 8 years later. Well done to the new crew- Anne-Marie, Leanne, Dezi, Kerusha, Mdu
PAWS and PEEPS - Serving the People One Dog at a Time:
The Heroes in our Midst…
This organisation was started by two local women, Judy Marshall-Smith and Annette Ross of Kokstad, Kwa Zulu Natal, who have pushed themselves out of the comfortable insulation of retirement to the frontiers of life in the isolated communities of Horse Shoe, Shayamoya, Bamabayi, Chocolate City, e’Moyeni, Marikana, Mphela, to mention a few, where some residents are living in poverty. Sterilisation campaigns have included Cedarville and Matatiele. These communities are far from veterinary services, too poor to afford the transport as animals are not permitted on taxi’s or, afford a vet when their animals need help. The people don’t want a constant factory of puppies or kittens, but unable to get their pets sterilised; so the end result is a large number of unwanted, miserable, malnourished animals and strays which roam around and sometimes cause accidents.
These two women set out with a simple objective: to help in whatever way they could to relieve suffering, they realised that the general cruelty towards animals by their owners was mostly unintentional but caused by ignorance. One of the early cases they attended to was a half grown pup completely covered in car grease. It was full of Sarcoptic mange and the owner was advised by the neighbours that the grease would smother the mange and the dog would be cured. Jacky was in extreme distress and Judy convinced the owner to release the dog to be treated and returned once well again. They returned it four weeks later covered in new hair, healthy and fit, much to the owners delight. Another belief is that eating tinned fish causes mange. So they have added education as a means to help both the animal and the owner. In certain areas the belief is that small puppies get a worm under their tongue, this gets cut with a knife, causing untold suffering and consequently the pups die. One owner reported that not one pup from any litter his dog had, survived these so called worms. He was killing his own pups. They place a lot of emphasis on communicating with the communities they serve and check up regularly on the treated animals. Judy and Annette both speak Xhosa and because they have built up a relationship of trust and a number of township dwellers have joined them to help as campaign volunteers, people like Kenneth Kunene, a very motivated school boy, Olwethu Mthini and Innocent Mkwanaza, who create a greater creativity and who play a vital role at campaigns because they have local knowledge. Making communication easier are regular township volunteers who are invaluable to PAWS and PEEPS, Mduduzi Faku, born and grown up in Bhongweni, who drives Annette around the townships, is an incredible asset in communication with animal owners and Siphe Mzenze who has been very helpful. Lusanda Sigcobela, employed full time at the kennels is a valuable employee at PAWS and PEEPS as he is doing very well in animal care and medicating, he is assisted by Lunga Ndebeza Judy’s general worker, who both go into the townships.
In order to stretch their recourses (donations from the public and their own personal finances) as far as possible, they have harnessed the services of Dr Galliers, State Veterinarians Dr Eddie Mushoriwa and Dr Cameron Kutwane and Community Service Vets Dr Divan Huysamer, Dr Alicia Koekemoer and Dr Hanli Marx. Impressed both by their dedication and efficiency some of these doctors have come on board weekly and at campaigns held at community halls and at PAWS and PEEPS Kokstad clinic. PAWS and PEEPS are responsible for all medication and some operating materials and surgical requirements. Being State Vets they do not charge for sterilisations or consultations. The outreach campaigns also benefit the Community Service Vets as they get more surgical experience and a wider experience of unusual cases.
To Date: January 2018 to May 2018, they have sterilised three hundred and forty one animals.
To Date: June 2017 to May 2018, they have sterilised five hundred and seventy nine animals.
To Date: January 2017 to May 2018, Judy and Annette have been instrumental in sterilising over eight hundred and seventeen animals.
These figures increase weekly as more work is done.
Statistically it is estimated that a single male and female pro-create eighty five thousand (cats are ninety five thousand) pups in their life time. Sterilisation of six hundred animals saves the lives of hundreds of thousands of unwanted puppies and kittens, although life expectancy is probably low, suffering is very high. As education and sterilisations have changed people’s attitudes, demand for their services have increased rapidly with the need to go into the township daily, be it delivering kennels, educating, documenting sterilisation requests, dipping and medicating animals and for urgent call outs. These trips result in more work as they drive through the townships.
Since September 2017 they have successfully treated thirty two dogs with billary, thirty three dogs with the sexually transmitted tumour cancer known as TVT and
large numbers of injured dogs, knocked by cars, or hit with sticks and stones while mating. Many dogs have been brought in not eating. They are de-wormed, dipped and given shots for rabies and parasites. The condition of dogs treated by them has greatly improved in the last six months.
To date: January 2018 – May 2018 a total of two hundred and two dogs and cats have been admitted into the clinic for adoption, injured or ill and have slept over for treatment or waiting adoption. This does not include animals brought in for sterilisation and spend a minimum of two nights. Eighty kilograms of dog food is donated by PSP Distributors, Kokstad.
As the economy has shrunk, animals become some of the first casualties. People in these isolated communities feel abandoned and forgotten. They welcome these helpers warmly because they trust them. There are many animals surrendered because their owners are unable to feed them. According to a recent Sunday Times article, only 9% of animals which reach animal shelters are successfully re-homed.
September 2017 to April 2018, Paws and Peeps have successfully had fifty four animals adopted.
The township volunteers are, as well as facilitating and liaising with the people also help to deliver services like dipping, de-worming and following up on treated animals, reminding owners of their after care needs. These are largely unemployed people and they are paid a stipend for their services.
Large numbers of township dogs have no outside shelter, in rain, lightening or snow and are miserable in cold weather. Franklin Sawmill have donated timber and slats, and kennels are manufactured by PAWS and PEEPS and given to owners who cannot pay. Others are persuaded to pay a small amount towards a kennel. So far they have made two hundred and thirty six kennels.
PAWS and PEEPS main sponsors are the Heathmans crew – Wes and Judy as well as Rob and Kristen Marshall-Smith.
Heathmans has sponsored two vehicles for PAWS and PEEPS Clinic. They have made huge financial donations as a Company as well as individually to keep the promises that PAWS and PEEPS makes to the community i.e. the sterilisation campaigns and the follow up of owners individual needs. They have supplied the labour and materials to built concrete kennels and fund all water and electricity used by the clinic. Additional staff members are subsidised or ‘lent’ to PAWS and PEEPS in order that they may continue their efforts in the community.
If you are inspired by their work and want to make a donation, however small, to their cause, these are their details.
PAWS and PEEPS
FNB Kokstad 220122
A/c 6270 5338 152
NPO – Reference No #202-403 with 18A Exemption for tax deductable donations.
You could help in other kind and thoughtful ways as well: volunteer for a few hours (so rewarding). Collect items such as: empty pill bottles, small glass bottles (for dispensing medicine), old towels (for dipping dogs) and old blankets and duvets (for bedding). Plus donate: dog food and old carpets (including wall to wall) to line the kennels.
Judy and Annette will include your details to their WhatsApp distribution list to receive a regular update about their work and keep in touch. Otherwise find them on Face Book – PAWS and PEEPS.
Joy Nightingale
