FreeMe rehabilitation centre shares latest developments
PAULSHOF - FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre sat down with Fourways Review and shared the latest developments regarding the centre.
The rehabilitation centre sparked debate and concern in the community after their temporary closure by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) and the National council of SPCAs (NSPCA) on 10 November last year due to the reapplication of the centre’s permit to operate, and this newspaper has reported extensively on these developments.
“We are currently in discussions with City Parks in regards with a lease of the centre’s space and we are also in discussion with GDARD and NSPCA for a standard permit to operate, once they approve, then we are open and running,” FreeMe’s rehabilitation manager and nutrition specialist, Karien Schmidt said.
According to Schmidt, FreeMe’s staff and volunteers have been helping to rehabilitate and look after the animals that were permitted to stay behind at the centre by the NSPCA. She further said that the animals are not yet scheduled to be set free into the wild due the drought which might be a challenge for the animals.
“The NSPCA approves of the conditions and care given to the animals, and veterinarians who regularly check the animals approve of the conditions that the animals are in,” she said.
Schmidt further explained that the animals who were in the centre were the animals that were being rehabilitated before the temporary closure and no other animals have entered the rehabilitation centre’s premises since 10 November last year.
“I am grateful that Irene McKenzie of C.A.R.E and Judy Davidson of Wildlife have taken over the animals that needed rehabilitation. The animals have never been neglected, but due to the temporary closure they have been in need of rehabilitation,” Schmidt said.
During the rehabilitation centre’s temporary closure, certain areas received an upgrade. “Our staff and volunteers volunteered their time to help with the structural changes and upgrades on certain parts of the centre, but we are not changing what FreeMe is – the foundation and vision of the centre will stay the same, nothing will change,” Margo Bansda, FreeMe’s managing director said.
The centre’s future plans are not to stay exclusive as they are hoping to work with other rehabilitation centres, and if you would like to partner by donating, sponsoring or providing your services, you can contact the rehabilitation centre.
Details: info@freeme.org.za; 011 807 6993.
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