Stop the Breeding

MEET THE FOUNDERS

In January 2020, two friends, Paulene Hardy and Carmen Stevens, were walking their dogs together, discussing the sad state of so many dogs and cats that were wandering the streets searching for food, neglected and continually multiplying and suffering, they were aware that more and more appeared on the streets, breeding was out of control!!  Their concern for the welfare of animals has always been a shared interest, they talked about how the situation could be alleviated. By the time their walk was over they had decided to try to raise funds and pay for sterilisations, which they agreed was the only solution in order to decrease the amount of stray cats and dogs. First things first…. both these ladies opened up a bank account with hope in their hearts that money could be raised and their dream would become a reality ! Spay It Forward was born and the hard work began !

After several constructive discussions with the SPCA it became a joint effort, Paulene and Carmen would help to arrange cats and dogs to be brought in to Dr Kriel, the SPCA vet, and they would fund local sterilisations. Local, at that time meant Humansdorp in the  Eastern Cape.  The very first dog was safely brought in and sterilised on the 2^nd February 2020. Paulene and Carmen were advised to keep detailed records of every cat and dog sterilised, where the animals were picked up from, or where they were living, whether male or female and if they were actually owned.

Although encouraged and keen to proceed, their endeavours were thwarted when the country went into lockdown in March. This was unexpected and unwelcome, however it gave them both time to raise money ready to restart  when the SPCA reopened.  3 sterilisations of dogs was undertaken in June, 3 more in July, 3 more in August. This was far from where they hoped to be, aiming at 8 – 10 sterilisations a month .It wasn’t long after Spay It Forward was established that Paulene and Carmen realised a little more help was needed. That help came from three more enthusiastic ladies, Colleen, Barbara, and Avril and at a later stage Berenice and Shirley. Over a period of time donations trickled in which, although minimal, it was enough to cover the cost of just a few sterilisations each month.

A monthly book sale is held in the village of St Francis Bay, which is their main source of income,  good quality books, jigsaw puzzles and board games are donated, sorted and resold. They now have 4 outlets also selling books on their behalf.

Over a period of  three years the monthly amount of sterilisations of cats and dogs have increased way beyond the anticipated 8 – 10 and usually between 50 – 60  every month is funded and logged through the records of Spay It Forward.  Along with the increase in sterilisations the area covered now extends all over the Kouga district.

Spay It Forward has become a well recognisable organisation, prioritising the street dogs and cats, and pets belonging to people on a very limited income. There is a noticeable difference in the amount of starving, breeding dogs on the streets, on rubbish tips and on informal settlements, and in exactly three years from their very first “ patient “ Spay It Forward had funded 892 sterilisations. An average of 55 sterilisations a month are successfully performed.

Spay It Forward thanks Dr Kriel, staff of the SPCA Asissi, their sponsors, supporters, volunteers and members of the public who have helped their dream become a reality, saving   more and more cats and dogs from breeding, suffering and starving.