There are many welfare organisations that experiencing new challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping across the world – reduced funding, lack of support, logistics challenges and restricted access to their usual fundraising channels have put pressure on an already constrained sector.
One such group of organisations is animal shelters. Not only has financial and other support been drastically reduced, but many people who are experiencing unplanned-for financial distress are finding it harder to care for their pets, with some resorting to the need to surrender them to a shelter.
“I have a deep love for animals, both domestic pets and the amazing wildlife we have in this country, and it saddens me to see these organisations under such strain,” says Peet Viljoen, well-known Pretoria philanthropist and CEO of Tammy Taylor Nails South Africa, a leader in the beauty salon industry in South Africa. “Aside from the usual donations of funds or food, I wanted to give back in a way that also helps the people who run these shelters. They put immense effort into ensuring that sick, unwanted and abused animals are cared for, often at great personal risk to themselves, and with great sacrifice.”
One of the ways that Peet has decided to assist is to donate fabric face masks and hand sanitizer to animal shelter workers. Understanding that many of these workers might not have the means to procure these items, and through this could risk increased exposure, Peet commissioned the local manufacture of fabric face masks, as well as 70% alcohol hand sanitizer, and has distributed thousands of these items to various worthy recipients.
“We’ve been driving around Gauteng for the past two months, since before the lockdown started, donating protective gear to police officers, army personnel, healthcare workers, children’s homes, animals shelters, security guards, the elderly, retail workers, petrol attendants, people queuing for SASSA grants, and others who cannot afford their own mask, or do not have access to purchasing one,” says Peet.
Read more about: Businessman Peet Viljoen Remembering the Poor in the Fight Against COVID-19
The fabric masks are both reversible and washable, and can be disinfected, making them reusable. The outer layer features moisture-wicking fabric that does not trap moisture and offers exceptional breathability.
“Our masks are also water-resistant and tear-resistant, with 500-thread cotton twill on the inner layer, making them comfortable as well as durable,” he explains. “Handing out free masks may seem like a small gesture to some, but it is initiatives like this that will help flatten the curve in the spread of the virus in our country, and keep people out of hospitals and our already-constrained healthcare facilities. I would challenge every business that has the means to donate protective gear to those less fortunate, to do so without delay, and assist our government in protecting our people against this deadly threat.”
With face masks or coverings now compulsory for anyone venturing into a public space, this initiative has become even more critical. “The Center for Disease Control (CDC) in the USA has recommended wearing cloth face coverings in public settings, especially where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain,” says Peet Viljoen. “I’m glad to see the South African national Department of Health has followed suit, encouraging our people to protect themselves as far as possible. Making sure that people already giving so generously of their time and money to those less fortunate than ourselves, including animals, have access to protective items such as face masks and hand sanitizer, is the least I can do, and I do so gladly. Sometimes people forget that animals are affected by the coronavirus too – not through contracting it physically, but through the damaging effects it has had on our economy, and the ability of people to give as they did before the pandemic hit.”
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