We aim to bring change
CVSSA is a registered Non Profit Company in South Africa endorsed and sponsored by Welttierschutzgesellschaft e.V Germany. Together we work to change the lives of animals in low income communities in and around South Africa. Rabies management is a key element of this work and involves mass vaccination and sterilisation. We also provide basic veterinary care and Humane Education. Through Education, we work to change the mindset in the communities we service, impacting pet ownership behaviours and improving the animals’ quality of life.
Sustainability of these outreaches is the priority, and we hope to inspire others to follow our mission. We encourage local and foreign veterinary and pre-veterinary students to get involved in our projects, with the intent to inspire them to provide community service in their own environment once they qualify, as well as learning vital practical and clinical skills through working with our team.
Who is Welttierschutzgesellschaft e.V. (WTG)
Welttierschutzgesellschaft e.V. (WTG) is a Berlin/Germany based registered non-profit organisation. Their vision is a world in which animals are appreciated by people, treated according to their needs and with respect. In their work for animal welfare WTG focuses on countries and regions with little protection for animals. They aim at improving the situation for animals in the long term i.e. by providing veterinary care, by supporting animal sanctuaries and through our educational work. WTG cooperates with local partner organisations and involves the people who are directly concerned. In WTG’s view worldwide animal welfare also starts at everyone’s own doorstep which is why they create awareness in their home country, Germany, to improve the relationship between humans and animals.
We must never allow the voice of humanity within us to be silenced. It is humanity’s sympathy with all creatures that first makes us truly human.
– Albert Schweitzer
A Brief History
Dr Renee van Rheede has a veterinary practice in a small mining village, Cullinan (Cullinan Animal Hospital) in South Africa. In 2007 there was a rabies scare in the Cullinan area. van Rheede learned of the plight of animals in the poorer community of Onverwacht just outside Cullinan through a staff member. They had no veterinarian to help them with rabies vaccines. van Rheede promptly arranged a vaccination campaign, liaised with the state vet and vaccinated Onverwacht animals.
During the vaccination campaign, van Rheede realised that the community and the animals are in desperate need of veterinary assistance. She then arranged a meeting with the head master and teachers at the Onverwacht School. In this meeting the education of the children in basic pet care was highlighted. This is where the corner stones of all future work were laid.
She realised to successfully change the plight of these animals she would have to:
1) Short Term: Provide basic veterinary care
2) Long Term: Educate the people in basic pet care ( Humane Education)
Out of the above a CHANGE took place in the community of Onverwacht as children we educated to be responsible pet owners. 9 years later, this community has developed and despite poverty still visible, more and more of the pet owners are now forming part of van Rheede’s private practice client base.
Due to growth in operations and requests by more and more communities pleading for veterinary assistance, van Rheede realised that she needed financial assistance and more veterinarians to assist her. She duly Registered as Optima Community Veterinary Clinic, a branch of South African Veterinary Association NGO.
2014 saw the birth of Vets For Change South Africa, van Rheede was one of 3 start up directors. The following year saw the pioneering work of Vets For Change South Africa with Optima CVC NGO as partner, Welttiershutzgesellschaft e.V Germany as Main Sponsor and van Rheede as Principle veterinarian for the projects. In 2016, It was time to formalise the concept and CVSSA was born and registered with Registrar of Companies in South Africa. The CVS-SA’s main sponsor remains Welttierschutzgesellschaft e.V Germany. There has been a high demand for the CVS-SA team’s outreach projects all across Southern Africa.
Change a life today
As long as poverty, animal abuse and neglect persist, none of us can truly rest.
It doesn’t take much to make a difference. Volunteer work, assistance with project expenses, equipment and other material donations are just some of the ways you can assist our cause.
Sponsors
Main Sponsor: Welttierschutzgesellschaft e.V.
Veterinary Facility Sponsor: Cullinan Animal Hospital
Contributors to projects since 2014: Premier Diamond Mine in Culllinan, Kendon Medical Supplies, Merial Pharmaceuticals, Zoetis, F10 Animal Health, Adcock Ingram, Purina, Pick n Pay, Diag Import and Export, Optima Feeds and Vet Shops, Marltons Pet Products, University of Pretoria Veterinary Faculty, Onderstepoort, Lakato PTY Ltd, Transpharm, Afrivet.