"THE SOCIETY FOR ANIMALS IN DISTRESS"...YOUR beneficiary!

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!MAXDOG here... 

Hello there to all our friends across the globe.

Today's post is rather a long one and is all about where

YOUR DONATIONS have gone.

It is a kinda 'report back' but really important one!

So please grant us some lee-way..

Do you remember this?....

Yes, it is me with my MAX-TERPIECE!

(You can read all about this amazing gift from our blogging friends by following the leads in the Right Hand Side Bar)

Well, many of you will know that there were additional funds from this incredible gift from my cyber-buddies and that we chose to donate that extra R1000 to the:
SOCIETY FOR ANIMALS IN DISTRESS.

here in Johannesburg, South Africa.

This is an organisation which does amazing charitable Veterinary work in some of the poverty stricken townships around our city.

Well, as a result of YOUR GENEROUS DONATION, Maxmom was invited to their head office and farm so that I would be able to tell you all about where your funds have actually gone.

On Tuesday this week, Maxmom went along with a friend and they spent a couple of hours graciously being shown around by the General Manager of this organisation.

I would love to share some of Maxmom's visit with you all...

There was a special doggie-buddy there to greet Maxmom on their arrival...

"BOB",

originally came from one of the townships and has turned into the most amazing 'educational' dog for many of the Society's activities.

Maxmom decided that she had to purchase one of the Society's T-shirts. (which you will see in the pictures below). The general manager, Heather Muller, spent a lot of time with Maxmom carefully expaining the Society's activities and vision...

The SOCIETY FOR ANIMALS IN DISTRESS has been active since 1958.

Their primary function is to provide Veterinary assistance and care to communities who are challenged by poverty and ignorance.  The Society has a Mission:

"Protecting Animals, Healing their Sickness, Fighting Ignorance, Empowering Others to do the same."

They have a number of mobile clinics which visit poverty stricken townships on a daily basis and they also have an educational programme which has been implemented in 63 schools around Johannesburg.

Their activities rely entirely on donations!

Maxmom's visit to their farm on Tuesday brought a whole new understanding about their wonderful work.  Maxmom says that there is an ambience of love and care which permeates the whole facility. It truly is the most loving environment and the animals look extremely well cared for!

Maxmom's first point of call were the horses who come from coal yards in the townships to heal. They are brought to the centre to foal as well as to recover from any illnesses. These horses usually carrying heavy carts of coal.  Although Maxmom is generally scared of horses, these were really friendly. This is a mare and her foal..

Another friendly face...

Below is Heather Muller:

the general manager of the society, with one of the horses...

Maxmom  again...

There are numerous horse stalls at the facility as well as enclosed areas for the various animals.  Some sheep...

A resident goat...

This was a really delightful character...

Maxmom couldn't help a closer picture of his eye...

As they came around the corner, on the way to the centre's hospital, there was a surprise.

Heather told us that they haven't had sufficient funds to build state-of-the-art equine theatres, so the operations have to take place on the lawn next to the hospital. It is important to note that ONLY  Equine surgery takes place outside. Whilst Maxmom was there, there were numerous operations taking place on the premises. The vets here do many castrations, neuterings and spayings. This was one of the donkeys being attended to...

The girl with the blond hair is a veterinary student from Sweden who is doing voluntary community work.  This operation had two vets in attendance, a veterinary nurse and numerous assistants.

Heather explained that it was 'operating day' and that she was going to take us to see what was happening inside the Animal Hospital. She also prepared us by explaining that the centre was in dire need of a 'recovery room' for their patients...

Inside one of the theatres:

The dogs which you see on the floor are in the process of recovery.

 

Inside another theatre...

This little doggie (below) was waiting for her operation.

(The hospital attends to many orthopedic cases as a result of animals being run over by cars, etc, etc)

It should be said, at this stage, that

the Society is NOT a rescue facility!

All the animals you see actually belong to owners who struggle with affordability and who have voluntarily released them to the society in order to heal or to be sterilized. Despite being poor, the owners of the animals do contribute financially to their care.

This sweet little doggie (below)was waiting for the Vets to correct his inverted eyelids.

He is a dog who was handed over to a domestic worker whose owner no longer wanted him because of his condition...

When Maxmom came out of the hospital, the donkey (who had his operation) was coming around from his anaesthetic.  

Although still very dopey he was being well attended to by one of the staff..

Maxmom and her friend were then taken to see the doggie kennels.

Again, ALL the dogs have owners to which they will be returned once they are better.

Maxmom was surprised by how well they were all socialised. 

Heather explained that in the townships there are no walls so the animals have learned to get along with each other.

Here is Maxmom saying "Hello" to "HAPPY" - a rescued dog who has turned into an amazing educational ambassador which they now use in the school programme. 

(The only reason he is confined is because there are operations in progress on the lawn.  Usually he is free to roam the farmyard.

This is the 'orthopedic' kennels. 

The animals here are all recovering from their operations.

The donkey enclosure...

...and this is "HEATHER THE DONKEY".

Yes, you guessed it...she is named after the general manager and is a really friendly donkey.

Maxmom fell totally in love with her...

So there you have it!

This is where ...

YOUR DONATION HAS GONE!!!

Thank you so much again for your generosity.

"Thank you"...

 to Heather and the staff for your hospitality and for taking the time to show your donors what you are doing with our money!!!

If you want to know more about the

SOCIETY FOR ANIMALS IN DISTRESS

please visit them

HERE

(and feel free to contribute in any way you can)

Sending lotsaluv to you all and wishing you a happy and comfortable weekend.

MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA