What started off as a small fundraiser to assist animals obtaining a sterilisation in 2012 – has now become part of a really big dream.
I can remember from a really young age loving animals – all animals. I recall having seriously hurt feelings watching my mom remove snails from her prized flower beds. As I grew older, I felt the obligation to stop and help animals that looked lost or bewildered and this continued as I offered financial support to animal welfares.
I am not sure how the universe works and how events happen to change our lives, but rescuing Miles on the N2 highway February 2012, was my “ah ha” moment. Driving with him in the car to my vet I just knew, I needed to make a bigger difference. I truly believe Miles picked me.
Dancers Love Dogs came from a concept that I used to raise money, for the Reach for a Dream foundation several years ago. This is what I know and this is what I am most comfortable with – putting on a production. Having had 35 years of teaching experience, I used my connections in the dance and theatre world to do a collaboration of dance for animals.
One must remember that the dancers are also gaining from this experience. Due to high costs of theatres, the general small company or Studio’s are not able to afford booking a professional theatre, like Artscape Opera House – so the platform is amazing for the performers as well.
The concept works so well as everyone is aware from the start that everything to do with show and foundation is based on “donations”. From the performers, printing, prizes and time - we don’t pay for anything and we don’t receive payment. So everything that is raised will go directly to the animals for sterilisations and we pay the vets directly. People come on board with huge hearts and generosity and they really do understand the cause and support us. I think knowing the money goes directly to the vets is a huge part of this, as often one wonders exactly how much of charity funding goes to the need.
I have a fantastic team in Cape Town, and I could not do the shows without them.
The help given by Allison Foat - our Media PR specialist is invaluable.
We have raised close to R 5 000 000.00 and to date we have sterilised almost 20 000 animals and I know this figure needs to be reviewed, as this changes daily.
Our collaboration with National Sterilization Project has undoubtedly been the biggest win for animals. To date they have assisted with over 3000 sterilisations and continue to escalate this every month. Their dedication to true outreach is unbelievable.
Brigette Reeve-Taylor
The National Sterilization Project (NSP) was established to reduce the growing number of unwanted and neglected pets through ongoing, nationwide mass sterilisation projects and raises funds for other organisations that attend to these.
A registered non-profit organisation, NSP receives no government funding and relies solely on the generosity of the animal loving public, and this support has been resounding. Since starting our concerted fundraising drive in August 2021, NSP has to date funded a whopping 3356 sterilisations at a cost of R1 436 500.00, with another R512 000.00 earmarked for 1160 sterilisations up to the end of November 2023.
NSP is exceptionally proud of our collaboration with Dancers Love Dogs to identify and plan projects; and decide where the funds raised by each of our organisations will be best used. Whilst NSP does fund some smaller dedicated projects for our beneficiaries that are close to Metropoles, our primary focus is on Pet Population Management in small geographic and remote areas where there are very poor communities with little or absolutely no access to vet services.
We utilise the following model: 1 small geographical area at a time, an initial project and then a follow-up project within 6 months (1 breeding cycle) so that at least 70 - 80% of the animals in the area are sterilised within these 2 phases. Thereafter only maintenance is required to keep the population stable and the results in these areas are measurable and sustainable.
These remote outreach projects are undertaken by the formidable Dr Roos and Envirovet CVC team whose invaluable guidance and support has enabled NSP to see very significant results in areas like Port Nolloth (Northern Cape) and the villages of Tshani and Mngcibe (Wild Coast) with this approach- over 80% sterilised, a significant reduction in conditions like mange and TVT and a happier and healthier pet population.
For further information on the National Sterilization Project and their upcoming projects, visit their Facebook page below
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