Inspirational Women: Neeri fights for our furry friends

IN celebration of National Women’s Month the Northglen News will be honouring several heroines who have been striving to improve the lives of fellow South African countrymen as well as our furry companions. Through the series we hope to inspire others through these women’s selfless and tireless work within the community. Every year South Africa commemorates Women’s Month in August as a tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women.

RESCUING and rehabilitating abused and neglected animals are two passions close to heart of Durban’s Neeri Naidoo. The 32-year-old has been advocating for the rights of our four legged companions for as long as she can remember.

“I grew up in a home where my mum took in strays. We were raised to respect animals and their needs, such as love, food and shelter. As an adult I saw all this abuse and neglect and thought ‘someone needs to help’, but then I realised that someone is me,” she said. 

In 2012 Naidoo joined forces with three other animal activists, Candice Chetty, Lynette Naidoo and Cheryl Reddy to form Phoenix Animal Care & Treatment (PACT) after rescuing an abused dog named Hope.

“We came across this pup, that was being kicked around by a group of boys in Phoenix. After we rushed her to a 24-hour vet we realised how expensive her treatment would be, and we thought, ‘What do poor people do who do not know about asking for welfare rates?’ We saw a need and decided to help wherever we could,” she explained.

While all three of these passionate women have full-time jobs they try and rescue as many animals from Phoenix and surrounding areas as possible – with their limited resources. The donation dependent organisation currently has R68 in its account.

“We originally set out to try and curb abuse and neglect by sterilising animals, but now we also rescue and rehabilitate. We don’t win every case, but we remain motivated by the few that manage to find a new home,” she said.

Naidoo, who is a market researcher by day, said she hopes that PACT will one day have its own premises, so that they can take in more abused and neglected animals. She also hopes to launch an education programme within schools to break the cycle in the near future.

• Contact Neeri Naidoo on 073 005 4275.

Read our previous articles on this series:

Inspirational Women: Michelle fights for women’s dignity and education

Inspirational Women: Jackie does it all