Aid 4 Animals in Distress (Aid4Aid), a Kirstenhof-based animal welfare organisation, turned 10 years old on Sunday, April 13.

The organisation began as a local WhatsApp group created by Kirstenhof residents to rescue stray animals and has grown to a full-blown non-profit over the past decade.

To date, Aid4Aid has rescued and rehomed nearly 2 000 cats and dogs. It is run by a team of seven people who are passionate about animal welfare and rescuing animals, and volunteer their time over and above their day jobs.

Every cent raised during fundraising efforts goes straight back to the animals, says Leanne Gericke, Aid4Aid vice-chairperson.

“Aid4Aid receives no government funding and relies solely on public generosity to support various fundraising initiatives. Aid4Aid is a foster-based rescue organisation in which all animals are in foster care from the moment they are rescued, until they are rehomed.”

Carolyn Dudgeon is the founder of Paws-a-while, an animal rescue organisation that collaborates closely with Aid4Aid.

“It has been a privilege to watch Aid4Aid grow into the powerhouse organisation they are today. Their commitment to animal welfare is truly inspiring and what makes Aid4Aid even more special is their willingness to work with other organisations as a team, they are not in animal welfare for themselves - their only goal is to assist animals in need,” she said.

Earlier this year, Aid4Aid joined six non-profits in the We Step in Together campaign, with the aim of performing mass-sterilisation in Lavender Hill. Together with the We Step in Together partners, 273 animals were sterilised over two separate days in February and March.

“It is unprecedented for so many organisations to work together, but Lavender Hill has also never been targeted by mass sterilisation drives. This was evident by the further 70 plus homes which have signed up animals on the second day,” says Grant O’Neill, Aid4Aid chairperson.

“The support by the community of Lavender Hill has been groundbreaking and motivating. We could not believe how many animal owners want their animals sterilised.”

Belinda Abraham, spokesperson for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, said while working with Aid4Aid during the We Step In Together sterilisation drive, she saw the team’s dedication to animals.

“Aid4Aid tackled the demands of the mass pet sterilisation project with efficiency, heart, and a deep understanding of why this work matters - to animals and the sector at large. We are grateful for organisations like this, who are in the trenches with us, doing the hard work where it matters most.”

Running a rescue organisation like Aid4Aid comes at a cost. Their yearly expenditure nearly exceeds R1 million and is mainly attributed to medical and food costs, says Blair O’Neill, Aid4Aid treasurer.

“Most people aren’t aware that the adoption fee rarely covers the full cost spent by any animal rescue organisation. Aid4Aid is a registered NPO with approved PBO and Section 18A status and can therefore issue tax certificates.”

Ward 71 councillor Carolynne Franklin says in the decade that has passed, a few dedicated residents, who reacted to reports of lost or injured animals in the area have become seasoned dog whisperers, and seasoned fund-raisers. “From these caring individuals has grown an animal rescue organisation like no other. Here’s to another ten years of love, commitment, and all-round decency.”