Coffee Club to boost SAFE’s fundraising

THE need for safe and loving homes for animals is always there, and sourcing the funding to rescue, treat, rehabilitate and take care of these animals is a challenge.

One of the organisations that faces this challenge is SAFE, an animal rescue organisation in KwaZulu-Natal that has a strong presence in Durban North and surrounds.

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Speaking to Northglen News, director Kerry Janke said SAFE may have found a solution to generating a stable cash flow, however, help from the community is needed.

“The reality is that never in our history has there been a need as big as right now for legitimate and effective rescue organisations to exist. Animal abuse, neglect and homelessness are at unprecedented levels. Poverty, lack of sterilisation, lack of education and high levels of pure cruelty are all part of the problem and on the rise. Rabies cases in KZN are also reaching very scary levels. But a lot of rescue organisations are facing shutting their doors because there is no funding. The result will be a disaster,” said Janke.

“We’ve started The Coffee Club which is a network of people within various organisations who can come together and work on fundraising campaigns in order to keep SAFE going so that our precious animals have a chance at surviving and finding loving homes,” she added.

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This is how The Coffee Club works. There are 21 chapters, which essentially are different areas, each with its own team leader.

“The team leader has nine other people in their group. They can meet and have coffee together, either virtually or physically, and come up with ways to fundraise or volunteer for SAFE,” she said.

“At the moment, we have 29 dogs available for adoption, and their costs vary. On intake, a healthy puppy costs about R4 000 while one with an illness can cost up to R22 000,” said Janke.

“We understand that it is tough out there for everyone. Also, there are so many organisations – one doesn’t know which is legit or not. That’s another reason for The Coffee Club. If you know the team leader personally, you’re more likely to donate cash or assist with fundraising,” she added.

She said social media had become a dead end when it came to making pleas.

“Currently, with the various economic struggles people worldwide find themselves in, fundraising is hard, and events and appeals are not well supported through social media channels. Every day, we receive more and more calls for help, and the cases are more extreme than ever before,” she said.

“If we work together, it’ll be a lot more effective in getting things done. The Coffee Club is based on the principle of Ubuntu,” said Janke.

SAFE is planning for a chapter to be formed for each area below:
Umhlali, Salt Rock, Ballito, Umdloti, Sibaya, Umhlanga, Mount Edgecombe, Phoenix, La Lucia, Durban North, Morningside, Glenwood, Amanzimtoti, Westville, Hillcrest/Waterfall, Gillitts, Kloof, Winston Park, Pietermaritzburg, Chatsworth and Phoenix.

To join The Coffee Club, WhatsApp Janke directly on 081 564 1649.

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