Upper Highway children visit Animal Anti-Cruelty League
The children were excited to visit the Animal Anti-Cruelty League and gave the animals a dose of love.
CHILDREN from Mademeni and Embo were guests at the Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL) recently, a beautiful farm-like property in Hammarsdale.
The children are learners at Inja Yethu and have, for the last year, been training their own dogs every week during school term.
Inja Yethu is a volunteer-run group that uses the tool of basic dog-handling skills to instil a legacy of kindness and non-violence in children.
Also read: Dozens make a ‘pawsome’ difference at AACL
One of the volunteers, Hazel Johnson, said their group and The Smart Dog (dog training school) offer their services to the charity called Inja Yethu.
“This is an unusual programme, but it has been endorsed by the Siyajabula Centre and Inhlangano Senior Primary School. Inja Yethu was founded as a result of a seminar held by Funda Nenja 2022. Funda Nenja have been doing similar work for 14 years in Mpophomeni,” she said.
Funda Nenja roughly translates from isiZulu to mean ‘learning with a dog’. The Funda Nenja model aims to nurture children into caring and responsible young adults while at the same time opening up possibilities for their self-development.
Johnson said the outing was an attempt to let children give back to those animals who do not have the fortune of a loving home, intimate human companionship and training.
At AACL, the children were welcomed with hotdogs and cooldrink.
They were then taken down to the kennels and each given a canine friend to take on a walk and to bond with, love and give individual attention to.
Also read: Keep pets safe in the heat
After the dogs had enjoyed a terrific bit of exercise, they were returned to their kennels, and the children were taken into the Cat Haven. Here, the resident cats were groomed and petted, and the children were told interesting facts about cats in general.
“They found it fascinating to hear that when a cat wags its tail, it is usually disgruntled, which is often the opposite for dogs. Another interesting fact is that cats and dogs, in fact, drink quite differently. Dogs use their tongues like scoops to lift and pull water into their mouths. Cats, on the other hand, rapidly flick the tip of their tongues on the water, drawing up a column of liquid to their mouths.”
Johnson appealed to the public to visit the AACL as it is a wonderful outing for anyone.
“It boasts a welcome swimming pool, cafe, charity shop and more, but most of all, it is about the animals. Visitors are encouraged to engage with the animals and give them attention and exercise. For people who no longer have their own dogs, please consider visiting the AACL regularly to get your own dose of pet pampering,” she said.
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