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August 20, 2021
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September 22, 2021
A voice for you, boo
Animal cruelty and abuse is a barbaric demonstration of people manipulating ill-conceived notions of power over other species and exploiting innocence. In some instances, it is also about ignorance versus education. TEARS Senior Animal Welfare Assistant Sive Twani talks to The Big Issue about giving animals a voice.
Images supplied by: TEARS Animal Rescue
Where do you conduct your animal rescues?
We are called to deal with some very cruel cases in Cape Town involving abused dogs and cats. Areas include Ocean View, Masiphumelele, Vrygrond, Lavender Hill and Redhill. Our TEARS Mobile Clinic operates specifically within those mandated areas. We often receive calls from other animal welfare organisations or members of the public to assist animals in distress that are outside of our operational footprint, and we always try to help if we can.
Tell us about your education programme where you teach children and adults about animal care.
We use our mobile unit to travel and reach children (lockdown restrictions permitting), teaching them how to treat animals. Children in turn remind the adults in their lives. We include teens in these talks, and conversations vary from issues around dog fighting to the consequences of non- sterilisation and purposeful breeding. We run educational campaigns where we go out and address audiences. We teach children about feeding, keeping pets warm with blankets in winter and cool in summer, and dipping them for parasite infections.
Sive, how did you get involved in this line of work?
I began working at TEARS in 2007.
It’s a job that requires emotional intelligence. You need to know how
to handle people in compromised situations. For instance, if I’m out investigating a complaint, an owner may become rude and angry and start demanding to know who reported them and how. But it’s important to remember I’m there in the best interests of the animal.
I take calls throughout my workday and will travel on-site in response to those. Often the SPCA will accompany us, as an inspector may be necessary to assist with the removal of an animal. Dealing with starvation, maggots, filth, and the stench of neglect are all part of the job. One of the worst cases was an incident in Vrygrond where the owner had placed a piece of wire around their dog’s neck. With each small movement the dog made, the wire cut deeper into its flesh.
THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP
- Adopt a pet instead of buying
from a breeder
- Volunteer at animal shelters
- Practice compassion for animals
and set a good example
- Donate to TEARS. Visit www.tears.org.za/break-the- chains
