Hillside provides haven for disabled animals

HILLSIDE Haven is an non-profit organisation that houses differently disabled cats and other animals in Bellair. Catering exclusively for disabled animals, this shelter prides itself on being the only facility in the country that gives a second chance to animals that would otherwise be euthanised.

“We cater specifically for disabled animals. At present we care for 58 cats, seven dogs, various reptiles, birds and rabbits and other animals so that they can lead a full and happy life,” explained the NPO’s chairwoman, Dr Taryn Turner.

The shelter provides both a sanctuary and healthcare to all the animals it houses and has been running for 15 years. “The Hillside Haven sanctuary has been run from my home in Bellair for the past 15 years. In April, my family and I will be moving to my grandparents’ house to assist my grandfather in looking after my grandmother, who has Alzheimer’s. We will rent out our house, but the sanctuary still needs a place to operate from.

To accommodate the charity and its more than 60 animal residents, we have decided to build a visitors’ centre on the property where our current out-buildings are, and move the cat garden over to that side of the property. In effect, Hillside Haven will occupy one third of the property and we will rent out the rest – Turner explained.

The visitors’ centre and enclosure will accommodate school tours and larger visits; however, funds are limited and the project had to be put on hold. “The organisation relies solely on the goodwill and financial support of its dedicated volunteers and especially from the general public, and we have totally run out of funds. We are appealling to the community for support,” she explained.

“As you can imagine, this is a very ambitious project that will make a huge difference to the running of our organisation, allowing us to entertain larger groups of school children and visitors at once, while at the same time ensuring that we honour the commitment we made to each of the disabled animals in our care,” Turner said.

She said they need to raise R35 000 in total but the most urgent is R5 400 to get the floor of the enclosure done. “We welcome anything donated to us in kind, it could be money or building material of any kind – our builder has good experience and can work material in any form,” she said. The material required includes concrete, steel cutting disks, reinforcing sheets, nuts and bolts, floor tiles and more. Although construction is a long way from completion, Turner said her passion for the ‘underdogs’ has kept the organisation running.

“There were so many times I wanted to give up. But if I had, these animals would die because special needs animals can’t be homed. They are euthanised instead and I believe these animals deserve a second chance. We don’t euthanise disable people, so why should we do it to animals?”

Hillside Haven aims to educate the public about responsible pet ownership and disabled cats and the possibilities they can still have long lives as loving pets. Pets in their care range from four weeks to 19 years old.

For more information, contact Dr Taryn Turner on 084 455 5529 or visit www.facebook.com/HillsideHavenSA/ or www.hillsidehaven.co.za.