Assagay NPO shows anything is ‘paw-sible’

WITH the recent acquisition of its non-profit organisation status, the Summerveld Hound Resort in Assagay hopes to continue to make a valuable difference and change the lives of many more pooches in the Highway area.

The organisation, which is predominantly owned by women, was started in 2016 by Vyaksha Singh and her family and was known as the RESQ Retreat NPC.

“It all started in July 2016 at our regular visit to the vet for dog food when we laid our eyes on the most precious little being. The Westville Veterinary Hospital had taken care of this little puppy for a week before we adopted her. Our eyes were opened to the grotesque reality and we became aware of how innocent animals were victims of torture, abuse, neglect and mistreatment,” said the organisation’s director, Vyaksha Singh.

Due to the influx of animals in their care, the family moved from their residential home in Westville to a small holding in Assagay.

The NPO currently cares for 77 dogs.

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“Since the start of our rescue journey, everything up until now has been funded by my dad. He is the only person in our family generating an income and it has become financially straining on him. We have one helper, my sister, mum and I take care of our rescues and, twice a week, our gardener comes to assist us,” said Singh.

The NPO offers animal rescue, rehabilitation and animal welfare education to the neighbouring community in a move to help reduce animal cruelty and the rise of unwanted and abandoned animals.

“We aim to improve the lives of all animals within our community and increase job creation by providing jobs at our sanctuary for unemployed animal lovers,” said Singh.

To become self-sufficient and decrease its monthly expenses, they will sink a borehole and install solar panels.

For various reasons, the animals in their care are not re-homed.

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“We did attempt to re-home our rescues numerous times. Home checks were done and approved but, during our surprise visits, we were appalled at seeing their conditions. We assist other animal rescues by finding loving homes for their furbabies,” she said.

The family said they are against animal cruelty and they follow a vegan diet and lifestyle.

“We believe every being is equal and has an equal right to life. We are a family of four that have an undying compassion for helping animals in need and, due to our immense love for them, we started this NPO,” she said.

The rescues are grouped together according to their temperaments and, during the course of the day, they are put together in large enclosures and at night these are opened and they are free to roam the property.

“We believe in socialising our fur babies because keeping them in isolation often results in anxiety, aggression, depression and kennel stress. We have a few groups of dogs that each consist of between eight to 12 dogs,” said Singh.

To follow the work done by the organisation, visit its Faceook page RESQ RETREAT NPC or follow its Instagram account @summerveldhoundresort.

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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.