An Alternative Approach to Animal Welfare


WELCOME!

Welcome to our website.  It will acquaint you with our organisation, communicate information of interest to you, teach you about our animals' needs and help you to help us help them!

 

  

WHO ARE WE?

Animals in Distress is a dynamic society offering a unique approach to animal welfare.  Since 1958, we have endeavoured to protect and treat animals in need and to educate and empower others to do the same.  Small and large animals belonging to people from eight informal settlements, who would otherwise not receive professional veterinary services, are cared for with love, skill and endless patience.  Situated in Midrand, the 11 acre farm, 'The Paddocks' is the non-profit centre of hope and healing. 'We' are a professional organisation consisting of pro-active, hands-on permanent staff who are all wholly dedicated to the welfare and needs of animals.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

WHAT DO WE DO?                                                                                                                                                          

As per our mission statement: Protecting Animals, Healing Their Sickness, Fighting Ignorance, Empowering Others to do the Same, we strive to                                                 

Reach More Animals

In More Places

More Often

                                           

This is achieved in a variety of ways:

* Mobile Clinics

In their radio equipped and medically stocked vehicles, teams of dedicated Animal Welfare Assistants (AWAs), are dispatched daily and respond to calls in such areas as Tembisa, Winnie Mandela Park, Ivory and Ebony Parks, Olievenhoutbosch, Mooiplaas, Diepsloot and Cosmo City. Where possible animals are treated on-site and all cases are followed up regularly.  Those animals in need of more serious veterinary attention are taken to the Society's Hospital at The Paddocks in Midrand.  SAID is also fortunate to have the services of 14 veterinarians who assist with pro-bono sterilisation procedures three days each week.  All animals are returned to their owners and this goes a long way in terms of building trusting relationships to benefit the animals themselves.

* Preventative Treatment

Regular de-worming of all animals is just one of SAID's daily priorities.  Vaccination against infectious diseases is another.  Enormous emphasis is, however, placed on sterilization procedures in an effort to alleviate the ever-increasing problem of over-breeding.  With 800 000 formal dwellings in Tembisa alone, SAID has the unparalleled task of providing care to the animals of some 5 million owners as well as advising and imparting knowledge to these owners on basic preventative measures.  AWAs will also endeavour to trace owners of animals found on the streets.  SAID is not a 'homing' organisation or an adoption agency.  All animals in our care have owners.

* Education

By far the most vital and important aspect of the Society, is to reduce animal suffering and neglect by educating people. Teaching the young and the old to treat animals with respect is an essential starting point for the Society.  SAID's ongoing Education Programme is to be found currently in 63 schools.  Up to 14 000 Grade 2 learners benefit annually from this initiative.  Learning to love, feed, clean and care for an animal and accepting responsibility starts at a young age. The following statistics reflect the success of such an initiative and the increasing owner demand for sterilization of domestic pets is a direct result of the programme. 

Statistics 2007 2008 2009 2010   2011
Schools 50 53 63 63 63
Large-Animal Treatments 14,635 19,547 18,186 17,265 16 265
Small-Animal Treatments 31,489 31,053 33,814 32,783 35 305
Mobile Clinic Treatments 35,392 50,554 53,585 44,103 43 291

 *Fundraising

- Events - we have a number of fundraising events during the year.  Our first one for the year is the ever-popular golf day which is being held this year on Friday 18 May at the Kyalami Country Club.

Please click here for further details

- Jumble - since Animals in Distress is a non-profit provider of care of animals belonging to low and no-income earners, fundraising and public donations are crucial to its ongoing existence.  You can help us help them and there are many ways to make a donation. All goods donations are strictly controlled and either directly used or convertly into cash for the animals. If it's wearable, readable, edible, driveable, pushable, drinkable, useable or sellable, we will gladly have it! Jumble collection is a constant activity for the Society and we will arrange a day and time that is mutually suitable to both parties.

We are always grateful for animal food, kennels, cages, collars, leads and bowls.

Financial donations are always deeply appreciated.  Whether it is a once-off or regular donation, it is allocated with the utmost integrity.  Via this website, we try to make giving easy and convenient for you! Just click on the Donations Link for the relevant details.

Click here for link for goods donations form:

- A monthly debit order from R50 upwards, is one of the greatest gifts you can give to our animals. Guaranteed regular income enables us to budget more effectively and plan our activities and projects accordingly.    

Click on link to donate via debit order/credit card form

- My School Card - is a real win-win way of supporting the cause.  Every time your card is swiped, a percentage of your  purchase amount goes towards our running costs. At no cost to you.

Click here to apply: MySchool card app

- Employee giving, whereby an employee pledges an amount from their salary, is becoming a more and more popular way of donating.  A number of companies now initiate this wonderful schem and often match the amount donated.

- Bequests - a gift left in a will is a final and selfless gesture which is deeply cherised.  The Society is most grateful for such donations as they make an immediate difference and help to continue our valuable work into the future.  Donations of such a personal nature are received with heartfelt thanks.

Click on codicil to will document

- Gift shop - various unique, animal related items are available from our shop all year round.  Soft toys, key rings, note books, branded frisbees, CDs, T-shirts and much, much more, all go towards providing for the animals in our care. Every year, packs of beautiful Christmas cards are on sale in various locations and at our offices. Together with pre-packed notelets, they range from cute to classy!. Orders can be faxed, along with proof of payment, to the Society, requested via e-mail or bought directly from our kiosks.  We suggest that you get in early with your order as they are very popular!

Please contact us to find out what is in stock!

- Books - you can play a huge role in the fundraising process by donating your books which we sell at our monthly booksales.  Accepting, sorting and preparing books in our library or working towards regular book sales, takes many volunteer hours and leads to substantial returns for the Society. We are always thankful for the help in this area as it is a highly beneficial means of fundraising.

The Society's fundraising efforts are exhaustive, and include our presence at many shows and promotions during the year.

 - Look out for our 'Sweet Deal' vending machines at selected venues. You can purchase candy and
help animals at the same time.

 

Click here to see 'Sweet Deal' 1.      

Click here to see 'Sweet Deal' 2.

Click here to see 'Sweet Deal' 3. 

Click here to see 'Sweet Deal' 4.

Back to Top

Click here to see the new Animal Bylaws: userfiles/new dogs_cats_bylaws.pdf

Click here for the application form: userfiles/Application Permit Cats (1).doc 

Click here for the application form:

www.yourownvet.com

To view our cracker of an ad produced by Ad Agency 'Blast'

click here http://youtu.be/G9 5Db9eZNA 

FAQ

At The Society for Animals in Distress, we wholeheartedly believe in what we do. We actively encourage visitors to our premises to see our work for themselves, and to make educated decisions as to how they wish to become involved.

We believe it is vital for all donors to all charities to know exactly what they are giving their money, time or gifts to.

Questions and Answers :

Q Do you have animals for adoption?

A Occasionally, but we are not a ‘homing’ organization.

Q Where do the animals go when they are better?

A Because we are not an “adoption agency”, all the animals in our care have owners who are monitored and constantly educated on the care of their domestic pets and larger animals.

Q Are you a “no-kill” organization?

A Absolutely. Our latest statistics reveal that less than one percent of animals treated on our premises are euthanased.

Q Are your euthanasia methods humane?

A Without question. Our veterinary care is of the highest standard, and our hospital is run by caring and qualified staff.

Q I would rather support you, and would like to bring my pets for treatment at your hospital.
Is this possible?

A No. We are governed by SA Veterinary Council regulations, and are only permitted to treat animals belonging to the financially disadvantaged from indigent communities.

Q Do you need blankets and carpeting for your kennels?

A Because most of our animals are ill (often contagiously so), injured or recovering from surgery, stringent hygiene is practiced in our hospital. We cannot use any materials that are not machine-washable, such as underfelt, carpeting and standard-issue grey blankets that disintegrate.

Q Where do you get your funding from?

A We rely on the generosity of our Members, Supporters, the general public, and some generous corporations. We receive no government support, so our fundraising activities are exhaustive and include events such as Carols by Candlelight, World Animals Day, St Patrick's Day, quarterly newsletter appeals; regular shopping-centre collections; shows and promotions; annual golf day; static donation tins; sale of jumble, books and household items. We also receive bequests and some annual Trust Fund allocations. Regular approaches are made to corporations and grant-making organizations in an attempt to broaden our funding base.

Q Is the Society run by volunteers?

A No. We are a dynamic, professional organization that requires the skills of professional, paid staff. We have a handful of hospital volunteers, as well as a database of dedicated people who raise money for our animals at regular shopping-centre collections. 

The Society for Animals in Distress is supported by American Fund for Charities, a US 501(c)(3) non-profit organization EIN 52-2109597.  Donations to the American Fund for Charities from US taxpayers are tax deductible to the extent allowed by US law.  The Society for Animals in Distress has been reviewed by the American Fund for Charities and the board of the American Fund has determined that The Society for Animals in Distress is a suitable organization to receive grants from a US public charity.

So it you are a US taxpayer and want to support The Society for Animals in Distress, please print and complete the Donation Form that can be found on www.americanfund.info and send it with your check or credit card details to American Fund for Charities, 1000 N. West St. Suite 1200, Wilmington, DE 19801.  USA.  You will be issued with a receipt you require for income tax purposes. Alternatively you can make a safe online donation at www.americanfund.info

                                             THANKS! 

  On behalf of our beloved township animals, we thank you for your kindness.  You are more than welcome to visit our farm and see exactly what you would be contributing to.  Should you make a donation, please don't be anonymous! we really want to acknowledge you and welcome you to our family! Just put your e-mail address as a reference.

 

Please click on the web page links for further and more detailed information.

  Bank : First National Bank   
Bramley branch code : 252105
  Account number : 5147 0054 747  
Account name : THE SOCIETY FOR ANIMALS IN DISTRESS
     
 

Contact Us

 We use iBurst, so we are always contactable via email, and the most reliable fax number is
086 626 5441
 (fax-to-email).
  Tel: (011) 466 0261    
 Fax: (011) 466 0262
  Alternate Fax: 086 626 5441  
Address: P O Box 391164, Bramley, 2018
  E-mail:  
animals@animalsindistress.org.za

Back to Top 

  © The Society For Animals In Distress. All material on this web site is copyright protected, and no part thereof may be used without written permission of the owners. Queries may be directed to:  manager@animalsindistress.org.za

 

 Eco lodge south africa                      Convert VHS to DVD.


Admin Login