Help feed hungry pets and keep them in their loving homes this Mandela DayTEARS supports local animal welfare hero, Ingrid de Storie

By TEARS Animal Rescue

TEARS Animal Rescue is well into their Mandela Day 6’n’7 campaign to raise 13 tonnes of food for the dogs and cats in their Feed Hungry Pets Programme. TEARS believes that no pet should go hungry, and this programme subsidises pet food so that families struggling financially are able to feed their pets and keep them at home. Currently, TEARS has raised over R60,000, which amounts to over two tonnes of food. They need your help to raise another 11 tonnes and reach their goal of 13 tonnes, seven tonnes of dog food and six tonnes of cat food, by Mandela Day on 18 July.

When a family is battling to put food on their table, it’s the pet dog and cat that go hungry. Being unable to feed pets is one of the main reasons families are forced to give up their pets to shelters, like TEARS Animal Rescue. TEARS Spokesperson, Tinka Shapiro, says, “We want to do everything we can to keep pets in their loving homes. This programme helps us subsidise food, so pets can stay with their families and there is space in shelters for animals that really need it.”

In Ocean View, near Kommetjie, TEARS Animal Rescue is helping the local hero, Ingrid de Storie, care for animals in her community. Every morning, she walks through the community checking on and handing out food to up to 30 dogs per day, that’s 210 pets being fed every week.

Ingrid says, “I used to work in a soup kitchen but decided that working with animals felt more rewarding. The love you receive in return – nothing compares. I check up on animals, take photos and take them to TEARS for vaccinations and sterilisations. I cook vegetables, rice and pellets with my own pay cheque to feed the animals in Ocean View. TEARS supports me by donating bags and cans of food for the community to assist in the feeding,” she says. 

“The Feed Hungry Pets Programme supports supplemental feeding, which prevents families from having to surrender their animals and helps them stay with their loved ones. This programme provides at least a meal a day to animals that would otherwise have to scavenge or starve, so that they do not go hungry. It also educates the community about animals, the conversation around caring for animals has completely changed, especially culturally,” says Ingrid. “Having this programme makes people feel supported, they know they have a place to go to when they cannot afford to feed their animals. It helps the community feel understood and supported knowing their beloved animals won't go hungry.”

Ingrid explained that the issues the community animals faced included poisoning, dog fights and a lack of sterilisation. “Poisoning is a very common issue for dogs. People are putting rat poison in fruit and dog food, throwing it over walls to distract animals so they can get into the houses,” she says.

Despite the hardships, Ingrid absolutely loves her job. “I have 12 dogs and am just about to rescue my 13th dog. My dogs all sleep in my bed with me and my husband. I don't mind if people call me at 1am or 2am about a dog - I will jump up and go, anything to help the animals. I can't even begin to explain how much I love and appreciate the work I do. It's hard work but it's what makes my heart unbelievably happy,” she says.With your support, the Feed Hungry Pets Programme makes this possible. Let’s keep this initiative going — and keep loved pets in loving homes, right where they belong.Donate: https://www.givengain.com/campaign/mandela-day-6n7-project