TEARS

TEARS stands for ‘The Emma Animal Rescue Society’. It is a pro-life, non-profit organization whose core aim is to rescue, rehabilitate, re-unite and re-home lost abandoned and abused neglected dogs and cats.

TEARS exists to:

• Lessen the suffering of abandoned, injured and abused dogs and cats by rescuing them, providing for their well being and placing them into loving homes;
• Reduce the number of unwanted animals by providing free sterilizations in disadvantaged communities;
• Provide humane education to the people to create an awareness of the moral and ethical responsibility we have towards the animals whose world we share.

TEARS was officially established in January 1999, although their work started way before then. The organisation began their work after they became aware of the plight of the animals in Masiphumelele, many of which were skeletal as their owners lived in abject poverty and couldn’t afford them. In this underprivileged area, mange was rife, deworming was unheard of and vaccinating against distemper and other diseases and sterilization was not practiced. This resulted in an abundance of female dogs suffering from malnutrition and unable to feed the hordes of puppies they delivered, which led to painful sufferings followed by death. The level of animal distress was unimaginably shocking, the main cause being poverty and people’s ignorance, rather than intentional cruelty.

You can help this organisation continue the valuable work they do, by getting your card in support of them now

In March 1999, TEARS started a clinic in Masiphumelele, offering basic services, such as vaccinating, deworming, dipping and treating animals for fleas, mange, etc and handed out food parcels to the needy families. Animals needing veterinary attention and sterilization were identified and arrangements made to take them to local vets.

The organisation began to accumulate unwanted and stray animals and desperately needed facilities to house them. They were fortunate to find kennels in Ottery, Cape Town, which they used to house their adult dogs.  All cats, kittens and puppies were kept at the home of a TEARS committee member in Muizenberg, which also served as their headquarters.

Whilst continuing to work in Masiphumelele and gradually seeing an improvement, they extended their services in May 2000 to the Ocean View Township, Mountain View and Red Hill Informal settlements.

TEARS later realised that it would more effective to consolidate their operation and keep rescued animals and headquarters at one location, they began looking for a property to rent.

After a long search, Rock Aloe Farm became their home. It was the ideal location as it is adjoined to Masiphumelele.

TEARS long-term vision is to raise enough funds to own their own property and establish a facility that they can be proud of eg. “Wenga Farm”. They aim to one day build an eco-friendly and self-sustaining pro-Life shelter.

How much do they help?

TEARS cares for upward of 300 animals (approximately 150 dogs and puppies and +150 cats and kittens), providing them with food, shelter and positive interaction with people. They respond to calls for help from the general public, rescuing lost and stray animals in their community and beyond, acting as an unofficial pound by caring for the animals until they are claimed or re-homed. An average of 100 animals are admitted every month (approximately 50 dogs and puppies and 50 cats and kittens). To date, TEARS has homed over 10 000 domestic animals.

While their prime focus is the rescue of domestic animals, we are also called upon to rescue other “creatures” such as snakes, otters, porcupines, buck, genets, sea birds, owls and various other terrestrial birds.

They meet the needs of the underprivileged communities by:

• Providing primary health care such as vaccinations, deworming and parasite control;

• Offering free sterilisations for their companion animals;

• Providing a scheduled, daily Mobile Clinic offering basic health care (vaccinating, deworming, parasite control) and food to the animals six days a week.
• Establishing an essential working relationship with the residents to protect the rights of the animals and empowering and supporting them through effective education, guidance and follow up.
• Providing a registered clinic on our premises offering veterinary care for pets for any condition, illness or injury.

The desperate need of the animals in the disadvantaged communities resulted in TEARS growing at a rate never imagined. Thanks to the wonderful support received from their own community, corporate, businesses, organizations, trusts, schools, vets, pet food companies, etc, they have been able to expand their services and reach, and are now seen as a major role player in animal welfare.

In 2004, TEARS was chosen by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to be part of their Community-Led Animal Welfare (CLAW) programme. IFAW provided them with a substantial grant to be used for sterilizations in disadvantaged communities and provide primary health care.  The following year, TEARS proudly opened their clinic doors, complete with their own veterinarian.

In 2009, TEARS extended their services to assist the impoverished communities of Capricorn Park (Vrygrond) and surrounds (near Muizenberg, focusing on sterilisation and primary health care and when funding is received, we intend providing a scheduled, daily mobile clinic.

Today, this organisation has the only established animal clinic for disadvantaged communities in the deep south, providing not just primary health care and sterilisations, but also treating animals for any condition, illness or injury, such as biliary, gastro-intestinal disorders, eye and ear problems, orthopaedic procedures, bite wounds, burns, suturing of wounds following stabbings, mange, musculo-skeletal problems and many other conditions.

Through donations they have been able to purchase essential equipment for their clinic such as an X-ray machine which has been an invaluable item in view of the many motor vehicle accident victims rehabilitated. Every animal treated in their clinic is sterilised before being returned to its owner.

To help sustain their operations TEARS have:

• Charity Shops in Bergvliet, Fish Hoek and Sunnydale
• Bookshops in Fish Hoek and Bergvliet

The sale of donated goods contributes substantially towards their monthly income. You can support this worthy organisation, and have the assurance that stray or abused domestic animals are taken care of and eventually find their “furever” homes.

For more information, contact TEARS on 021 785 7014 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or visit their website, www.tears.org.za