Since opening its admissions in January 2020, the Cat Angel Refuge has touched the lives of 2897 animals, which includes dogs, wildlife and livestock. They are the only animal welfare organisation in the area and hope to remain there by finalising the purchase of their property.
Zeerust, South Africa (12 May 2023) – In early September 2022, the Cat Angels Refuge sent out a desperate plea for help to raise funds to purchase the property they currently use to service the majority of the North West. They either had to purchase the property outright, or move the rescue organisation. The team quickly started raising funds and today, are just R130,000 shy of the goal!
The Cat Angels Refuge SA, based in the North West province, is hoping to raise the remaining funds needed to keep its doors open and the team operational. If they close, that is a whole section of the North West that will go without an animal welfare organisation as they are currently the only one along their routes. They work as far as Kleinfontien, which is 207km away.
The organisation is currently renting the old premises where the SPCA used to operate. The SPCA closed its doors in 2012, and Angels stepped in to fill the gap that was left. The landlord had offered for the organisation to stay free but with the agreement that they would purchase the premises outright in 2022. With so much need during the pandemic, they never managed to put aside the full amount to purchase the property. Hope is not lost though, they are working hard to make sure they reach the target.
Initially they had managed to raise over R175,000, which was placed in a Bidvest call account to be used towards the purchase of the property. They then launched a BackaBuddy fund in the hopes of raising the balance for the property. The funds raised using either the bank account or BackaBuddy will be used specifically for the property.
The total needed for the property was R750,000 but the landlord offered a massive price reduction and the team needed to only raise R450,000 plus transfer costs. This made their chances of purchase much higher and they quickly started campaigning. However, they are based in one of the poorest provinces in South Africa and funding is limited.
The hope has been to reach beyond Zeerust and the North West, gathering support from animal welfare supoorters far and wide.
“We have so far managed to raise R329 588,00 of the R450 000 needed, which is in a special 32 day call account and all funds towards the building is going straight into it.
Currently with the economic situation being what it is raising funds is extremely hard, and Zeerust is an extremely poor community, the animals need us to remain here, even if its only to ensure they have a peaceful painless passing.” – Joanne Wilson
While the organisation has always had a focus on cats, they have embraced the community’s needs and welcomed dogs as well. They have assisted with wildlife rescue as well as become the leading facility in assisting with animal-related crime in the area. They are currently assisting in 23 criminal cases with the latest seeing them take in eight neglected dogs that will need to stay on their premises until the case has been heard.
The Angel Refuge has until the end of May to finalise its finances and proceed with the sale process. They have until September 2023 to fully purchase the property otherwise the original sale price is reinstated and they will become liable for property rental. So time is of the essence.
“The alternative is closure and there is no other rescue or SPCA in the Ramotshere Moiloa District. This will leave thousands of animals stranded with no options of help.”
If you would like to DONATE, you can do so online via our BackaBuddy fundraiser: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/cat-angel-refuge-a-furever-home; Or alternatively, you can donate directly into the 32-day call account using the details below. The team are sharing a monthly tally of all the funds raised so you can see how much they have.
Cat Angel Refuge
Bidvest Bank
Current Account (32-day call)
Account Number: 7962894201
Code: 462005
Reference – your name
Proof of payment to: catangelrefuge@gmail.com for bookkeeping purposes.
If you would like to support them in other ways, you can reach out via Facebook here.