Nieu-Bethesda Animal Welfare

27/09/2025

Spring is in the air! This lovely yearling is enjoying the sweet Wisteria flowers on the stoep at Dustcovers Bookshop this morning in Nieu-Bethesda. 💜🌸🐎 Photo by Victoria Nance r

19/09/2025

Again we have horse owners in Nieu-Bethesda riding mares who have given birth a few days ago! It's the start of foaling season in Nieu-Bethesda and it's absolutely vital that we have the Horse Welfare Outreach Program on 10th &11th of October, to educate these horse owners about the damage they are doing to the mares by riding them within 8 weeks of them giving birth! Plus the poor little foals can often barely keep up when they race off with their mothers!
Please consider donating so that we can be sure to hold this Outreach Program. Banking details are in the comments section below. Contact Mandy Roets on 072 525 4615, Victoria Nance on 082 517 0045 or Carla Hazel at East Cape Horse Care Unit should you want to donate in any way.
Photo supplied by a concerned resident of Nieu-Bethesda.

18/09/2025

Defining ANIMAL ABUSE....

15/09/2025

With only 4 weeks to go, here is a list of what we are in need of for our Nieu-Bethesda Horse Welfare Outreach Program on 10th & 11th October:

Horse dewormer
Dectomax or Ivermectin
Wound treatments / sprays
Bandages
Tick grease
Horse tack in good condition, such as bridles, halters, girths, saddles, etc.
Soft bits
Numnahs
Horse food (lucerne bales or pellets)

If anyone would like to make a donation towards helping improve the quality of lives of the horses in the Nieu-Bethesda area, please contact Mandy Roets on 072 525 4615, Victoria Nance on 082 517 0045 or Carla Hazel at East Cape Horse Care Unit on 072 357 2505
(Ps. Victoria will only be available from the last week in September).
Any donation is most welcome, so even one can of wound spray or dewormer will make a difference for a horse in need. 🙏❤️
Banking details are in the comments section below.
The Outreach Program is done in Nieu-Bethesda with East Cape Horse Care Unit. ❤️🐎
Photos and information by Mandy Roets

08/09/2025

We need your help, please. With over 300 horses in the Nieu-Bethesda area, owned by people who cannot afford veterinary care, our Nieu-Bethesda Horse Welfare Outreach Program on 10th & 11th October, is even more vital for the welfare of these horses and to their owners now. East Cape Horse Care Unit plays a very important role in these Welfare Outreaches, helping us to educate horse owners about the proper care of their horses, treating injuries, deworming and inspecting all horse tack & carts. Where we can, old and harmful horse tack & equipment is replaced by donations given to EC Horse Care Unit or to us directly. Please consider donating, as it really makes the world of a difference for these horses.
Banking details are in the comments below. Please send proof of payments to Mandy Roets on 072 525 4615 or Victoria Nance on 082 517 0045. EC Horse Care Unit contact details are in the comments section below. Please use your name as a reference and those donating directly to EC Horse Care Unit, please send an email to Carla Hazel to let her know what the donation is for. (Email address in comments section).
Please note that Victoria Nance is away and will be back at the end of September, and will only respond to messages then.

Report & photos by Mandy Roets

03/09/2025

Tips on how to be a responsible dog owner.

TIPS TO BE A RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER

A responsible dog owner is just that: responsible for their dog, not the people or animals around them.

✔︎ Feed your dog the highest quality food that fits your family’s budget. Keep their water bowl fresh. Wash the dishes regularly.
✔︎ Take your dog to the vet for an annual checkup, and work with your vet on preventative health, vaccines, medication, and whatever else it takes to keep your pup happy and healthy. This includes oral health and nail trims!
🐾 Let’s be real: It’s better to spend less on bowls and costumes and instead save that money for vet bills!
✔︎ Keep your dog safe from others, and keep others safe from your dog. Follow the rules. Don’t let your dog off leash unless you’re in a specific off-leash area. Don’t take your dog places where he won’t be comfortable, or consider crating or removing to another space if you can’t be sure your dog will be safe and comfy. And pick up your dog’s p**p!
✔︎ Don’t use force or fear to get your dog to do what you want.
✔︎ You don’t need to spend a lot to take excellent care of your dog. Keep him at a healthy weight. Get enough exercise and mental enrichment.

Having a dog is the best. They’re fun and funny. They’re loving and playful. They’re joy wrapped in fur.

Take good care of your pup. They’re worth it and so much more. 💙

03/09/2025

Latest update on Sassa, the poor girl who had a tumour removed from her eye recently. She is recovering well and has been given a special new hand made kennel too! A very special thank you to Gouni-Mae of Nieu-Bethesda, who is just the kindest lady! Gouni-Mae is also the person who found Sassa struggling with her eye and took her to Graaff-Reinet for veterinary treatment. And now Gouni-Mae had a local handy man make Sassa her very own special kennel and gave her nice new warm blankets too. Lucky girl! ❤️🐾🐾❤️ Victoria Nance Briony Chisholm

01/09/2025

Important information about why dogs bite.

20/08/2025

The dates for the next Nieu-Bethesda Horse Welfare Outreach Program has been set for 10th & 11th October. East Cape Horse Care Unit will be in Nieu-Bethesda to run this vital Outreach Program. Anyone wanting to donate or sponsor meds, wound treatments, horse equipment, feed, etc, please contact Mandy Roets on 072 525 4615, Victoria Nance on 082 517 0045, or contact Carla Hazel at East Cape Horse Care Unit in Port Elizabeth.

15/08/2025

Update: Sassa, the lovely girl with a tumour on her eye, is back home from her operation and is coping really well. Such an incredible dog - she stole hearts at the vet clinic!
Hopefully all the cancer is now gone with the removal of her eye and she can live a pain free life.
As always, there is a vet bill that looms... if anyone wishes to donate, even the tiniest amount, it will be much appreciated! Details of bank account below and you can use her name as reference.

Nieu Bethesda Animal Welfare
FNB
Account number 63117816108
Branch code 2355355