Recently some learners from Fairmont High School came to help out at our foster home as part of their Life Orientation class. Here are some of their stories:
Essay by Charlton Christians
My first day at Fisantekraal Animal Welfare shelter (FAW) was an eye-opening experience. I’ve learnt many things and I do not regret choosing FAW.
My expectations were totally different regarding the conditions and the conditions of the animals. I expected a square metre “prison cell” for each individual dog or cat, but that was not the case. Each animal had an appropriate area. I expected the animals to be severely abused but luckily the worst case was a starving mother Labrador trying to feed her 8 pups. Another dog, Cindy, had been axed, but her scars were not visible.
I was the first to arrive and I was immediately asked t wash dog bowls. Thereafter we picked up dog’s waste and fed the dogs. After the dogs were fed they were taken for a walk to the field and once let go they went crazy and ballistic. I felt good to see some of the animals enjoy themselves at the field.
After two and a half hours we were dismissed, but I stayed till four o’ clock. I was taken to Fisantekraal to see were the animals come from and where they store the food and equipment.
I’ve learnt that the reason why Jurie and André provide shelter for the animals is because they love animals and if they don’t do it nobody will and the cats and dogs have to be put down. I’ve also learnt that running an animal shelter s hard work. It’s a never-ending job and the owners don’t even get paid for it. They can never go on holiday because the animals need special care.
My favourite animal was a dog named Leo. I had the privilege of walking him twice. The part I enjoyed most was walking Leo and giving the dogs the attention they need and deserve. The part that I enjoyed the least was picking up the dog’s waste, but I did it without complaining.
To conclude I think that the communities need to be educated and made aware about sterilisation and on how to take care of animals. Abuse and neglecting of animals needs to stop immediately. The FAW organisation is truly worthwhile, animals deserve a chance to live.
Essay by Sheldon La Grange
I arrived at 8 o’ clock at Jurie and André’s animal shelter, my first task of the day was to clean the bowls and cups that the animals ate from this was made difficult by the constant downpour of rain. Afterward I was given the task of cleaning out the pen of a female dog that had given birth to a litter of puppies; the job was messy and didn’t smell too nice when I was finished I was soaked and dirty. We soon realised that the dogs ate a lot when we had to dish out their food and we had to admire the way the shelter managed to provide for all the animals greatly considering they are a non-profit organisation, this job did not seem to have any upsides or so I thought until Jurie told us the story of how the dogs came to be and their sad tales that led them to this animals shelter. It was relieving to see that there are still some good people in this world who will take time and money out of their already busy lives to make a difference and help those animals who are in need and have nowhere else to go. Finally the time came for the animals to be taken for a walk this was the part we were looking forward to. There were six dogs and six of us and heck did we go for a ride, when we let them out onto the Durbanville field we realised two things: 1) That dogs are beautiful animals and need to be cared for and protected and 2) We were so unfit. Once we had caught the dogs again ad had them home we were told more about the FAW and the procedure that was followed before an animal could adopted and then we were dismissed. On this day I learnt that this job is not beautiful and is certainly not easy but it is very emotionally fulfilling after just a few hours of working I felt good and I am just glad there are organisations like this that will defend and protect animals when nobody else will.
Essay by Wade Ferreira
Today I went to help at the FAW, the Fisantekraal animal welfare clinic. There were lots of kind and gentle dogs and a few had a litter of puppies. Many of the animals were abused or mistreated in some or other way. One of the mothers was given away by her owner to her gardener and the mother wasn’t fed or looked after properly. She was very anorexic and her ribs were clearly visible. Another dog was hit over the head with an axe and now the FAW is looking after the dog. It showed me how cruel people can be to innocent and harmless animals. All the dogs were very gentle and loving which made it pleasant to help them out. What the FAW is doing is a really good thing and I was more than happy to help them aid their cause. If they didn’t look after the animals, they would have to be put down but the FAW is giving them a second chance. Today I had to clean out the dogs and cats’ cages and feed them. At the end of the day we all took a dog to the Durbanville High School field and we let the dogs run free and play with each other. It was very nice when we saw the dogs so happy and lively. I had to walk a dog named Dexter. He was the wildest of the bunch.
Essay by Craig Versfeld
I woke up this morning cold and moaning about the weather. Not at all motivated to do the service. Although there was a feeling of excitement I did not feel up to it. But of course with much nagging from my mother I got ready and left. When I arrived it was pouring with rain and I was freezing. I was welcomed in and went into the kitchen to find two of my friends standing around as well. We got shown around the place and were put to work straight away. Yes picking up the dog discharge was not the best of times or washing the dog bowls but I started to grow quite the respect for these men who had basically committed their lives to doing this and keeping these animals in a healthy and loving environment. While cleaning one of the dens where a mother and her puppies were staying and me moaning about the smell, my friend said “look at them… what I would not do for them” I turned around and saw all these little puppies huddling together and looking around with their fluffy heads. Right at that moment I knew this was all worth it and I didn’t moan again. After walking some of the older dogs and running with them on the nearby field we were excused and could go home. I sat and thought for awhile how much I love my animals and it made me appreciate them more. I wish I could have taken all those dogs home for myself but obviously I can’t.
I’ve definitely found a new respect for this organization and I’m ready to help them again with no hesitation.
Essay by Martin van Kuik
I arrived at 08:00 and it was raining and cold. I met Jurie and André and they showed my friends and I around the animal welfare which was in the back garden of someone’s house. After that we got straight to work and started by cleaning the dogs’ bowls so that we could feed them out of clean bowls.
After we had finished cleaning the bowls we had to go around to all the cages and pick up the dogs’ poo and spray off the parts that we could not pick up. We then had to go to the kitchen so that we could put the food in the bowls for all the different dogs.
After we had finished feeding all the dogs and they had finished eating we had to change all the dogs’ blankets and pillows because they were wet from the rain. It was then time to take the dogs for a walk around the school fields and we each got a lead and we chose a dog and then headed off to the school fields, which were just down the road. The dogs were very good on the walk and they ran around the field twice and they also played in the water.
When we go back we were done for the day and we went home.
I learnt that some people are very cruel towards their pets and that if we do not do anything or help do something for the dogs they will have to be put down, so it is up to us to save these animals and help them recover from any injuries. The dogs are rescued by the recovering team situated in Fisantekraal and they go to Morning Star and Fisantekraal and look for abused animals in the neighbourhood.
by Rosa Pheiffer
