19/05/2026
Outreach Report – Buffelsrivier | 17 May
On Sunday, 17 May, our team visited Buffelsrivier as part of our first outreach, with the aim of offering support and hope to animals living in vulnerable circumstances.
At each home we visited, we introduced ourselves and explained the purpose and scope of Paws Against The Cold. We were met with openness and trust, and many owners shared their challenges with us honestly.
During our visit, we learned that a large number of dogs in the area had recently passed away due to canine distemper—a devastating but preventable disease.
We saw the painful signs left behind—empty ropes once tied to trees, marking the loss of lives that could have been saved.
The only effective prevention is the 5-in-1 (DHPP) vaccination, and it quickly became clear that access to these vaccines is currently one of the most urgent needs in Buffelsrivier.
Several owners expressed hope that we might be able to assist with vaccinations, and while we were not yet able to provide them during this visit, we are committed to doing everything in our power to ensure that dogs in the Buffelsrivier area receive these life-saving vaccines as soon as possible.
During the outreach we:
• Identified households where animals were in urgent need of assistance,
• Fed dogs on arrival and provided additional meals
• Distributed blankets to help protect animals against the cold
• Compiled a list of households where dog kennels are needed, which are currently in the process of being built
• Offered assistance where possible, and maintain open communication with the owners via WhatsApp
It was encouraging to see that many dogs already had some form of shelter, showing that owners care deeply, even when resources are limited.
This first outreach provided us with valuable insight into the realities on the ground and helped us better understand how to offer meaningful, empathetic, and practical support going forward. Many owners saved our contact details and agreed to reach out if abuse or neglect is observed, allowing for ongoing community involvement and monitoring.
We left Buffelsrivier feeling both emotionally affected by the extent of the need, and motivated by the knowledge that this is only the beginning. While we could not help every animal yet, we are committed to growing this project so that we can reach many more in the future and make an even greater impact over time.
Your support plays a vital role in how much we are able to do. Every contribution helps us move closer to protecting, treating, and caring for animals who otherwise have no access to help.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us.
Below is a photo of just a few of the dogs we encountered during the outreach in Buffelsrivier.
