Success Stories

The most overpopulated animals in the Little Karoo are dogs

Even among the poorest of the poor every household has a dog (if not two). They can’t afford petfood, so dogs are fed scraps, pap and potato-peel. KAPS gets donated petfood (for dogs and cats) and distributes it free every day to starving pets.

Mange, fleas and other parasites are dangerous to both dogs and humans – and preventable – see Health

KAPS operates a free dipping service as a contribution to human and animal health.

People living in substandard housing don’t have the luxury of fences to contain their animals

Before KAPS, dogs everywhere were chained up all day with no water or shelter from the hot Karoo sun. Now it is a rarity to see any dog in those conditions in KAPS’s catchment area. We provide free water-bowls and assist in erecting fences and sheltered areas.

Poor people can’t afford treatment for sick and injured animals

And they have no money or transport to access veterinarians hundreds of km away. KAPS helps to the extent of its limited means, even if only to bring the blessing of painless euthanasia in loving arms.

Cruelty, abuse, starvation and neglect are still regularly encountered.

KAPS confiscates and rescues animals in need of help, and rehomes those that can be saved. We have rescued countless dogs on the brink of death, including two starved St Bernards (used for breeding), and we prosecute owners. Only one St Bernard survived, but is now living a glorious life in a caring home. Other prosecutions for cruelty and starvation have resulted in heavy fines and bans from keeping animals.

Overpopulation is exacerbated by backyard breeding

KAPS mounts free sterilisation programmes to counteract breeding, and activates municipalities to enforce laws against unauthorised breeders.

Many municipalities have no licensing laws, and if they have they don’t enforce them

Thus no social responsibility is required of dog-owners. KAPS campaigns for dog-licensing, with high fees applicable to unspayed bitches.

It is heartbreaking to put cats and kittens to sleep

Re-homing cats is almost impossible, but KAPS does what it can, and provides permanent sanctuary to those unwanted ones that remain. The only real solution is sterilisation of the cat population.

The Little Karoo has many small/emerging farmers

… and people who keep a few farm animals on the side, but they are too often ignorant of animal husbandry. KAPS provides help and education and is active in campaigning for the aims of Compassion in World Farming. We try to move mountains by urging municipalities, government departments and small farmers’ co-operatives to improve conditions of livestock. Three pigs and two newborn calves have been rescued from cruelty and taken to live protected lives in our sanctuary.

Horses and donkeys are used as draught and traction animals in the Little Karoo.

They are often forced to work under inhumane conditions, with cruel bits and broken, ill-fitting harness held together with wire and string. KAPS continually intervenes to provide rest, rescue and rehoming for horses and donkeys, and arranges mass healthcare clinics and individual veterinary treatments as necessary, including gelding. Ill-fitting mouth bits are being replaced all the time, and we also supply proper harness and other equipment for donkey-carts at our cost. Owners are asked to contribute towards new harness, and any money received goes towards providing more equipment.

KAPS’s donkey sanctuary at Klipfontein Farm has been running since 2005 and has been populated by as many as 25 rescued donkeys at any one time. If rehomed, they go strictly as pets and/or as companions for horses and other donkeys.