Help Tears feed hungry pets this Mandela Day

Tears Animal Rescue is marking Mandela Day with its 6'N'7 Project - a fundraising appeal for pet food.

The goal is to raise enough to buy 13 tonnes of dog and cat food for struggling pet owners in low-income communities.

The campaign, named for its goal of collecting 6 tonnes of cat food and 7 tonnes of dog food, will support Tears’ Feed Hungry Pets Programme for six months.

According to Tears, many pet owners in the communities they serve are facing financial hardship and can no longer afford to feed their pets.

This often forces families to surrender their pets to shelters, not out of neglect, but due to a lack of resources.

Tears’ creative lead, Tinka Shapiro, said pet overpopulation remains one of the biggest ongoing challenges in the communities they work in.

“There are still too many unwanted pets being born into a world that does not want them,” she said, adding that the result is more mouths to feed, with food being the biggest expense.

Ms Shapiro explained that food insecurity is contributing to a rise in pet surrenders, and it’s not something families take lightly.

“Surrender is often the only caring option for pet owners who feel like there is no other way to provide the necessary nutrition,” she said, adding that in many cases, families are distraught and hurt by the need to make such a choice.

“While they love their pets dearly, they simply can’t afford to feed them, with empty bowls and empty pockets, the heartbreaking choice becomes surrendering beloved animals to shelters.”

The programme is not intended to take over full responsibility for feeding animals, Ms Shapiro said, but rather to work alongside families by providing food support when needed.

One requirement is that the animals must be sterilised.

The organisation has seen a noticeable increase in the number of people requesting pet food support this year.

Ms Shapiro attributes this to the rising cost of living and worsening economic conditions, which are affecting both people and their pets.

She said that for many people, their pets are like family members.

“Giving up a family pet can be a huge loss, especially for children,” she said, adding that parents have to explain something no parent should have to explain – that there is not enough money to feed the family dog or cat.

Families can apply for assistance by contacting Tears directly or visiting one of the organisation’s community clinics.

“We can only help when we know there is a specific need,” she said.

Donations can be made via GivenGain, and supporters are encouraged to start fundraising challenges or help spread the word.

For more information, visit www.tears.org.za or contact Tears on 021 785 4482.