BARC Animal Welfare March 2022 Newsletter

Dear BARC friend,

Sometimes it is good to reflect on how far BARC has come since its inception. An interesting article appeared in the Gans-Berg Nuus on 4 February 2022, here are some insights as reported by Hardus Botha.

“According to Annalie Jonker, the first ever BARC meeting was held on 12 June 2009. The main topic was the continued existence of BARC with only R249 in the bank! Far reaching resolutions were then drawn up, including the formation of a Trust as well as planning future funding projects. The next big decision was to open a second-hand BARC shop to help with funding. The shop opened its doors on 22 August 2009 next to Kekkel and Kraai and from there it moved once more and then on 17 July 2021 moved to the corner of Mark and Dirkie Uys streets, the current address. This shop remains the biggest income generator and we thank the public for their continued support and donations. Rene Jacobs has been the shop manager assisted by Lydia Tobias who joined later.

At the kennels, Nols Jonas is the fieldworker since September 2015 and he is ably assisted by his wife Hannelie. Everitte Visser and Franciena Ward take care of the kennels and their cleanliness. Everitte's wife Lynette and his son Franco are also real stalwarts at the kennels. Then of course there is Annalie Jonker, the „iron lady‟ driving BARC. She is the glue that keeps the place together, even in the most dire circumstances. The other workers behind the scenes are the Trustee members and freelance workers”. Without the dedication of these people BARC would not survive, thank you for your unswerving dedication.

Lovely Pets up for Adoption

It costs R400 to adopt a cat/kitten and R500 to adopt a dog/puppy. This fee is very reasonable when one considers that it includes vaccination, sterilization and deworming. Extra costs absorbed by BARC are extra vet visits as well as home inspection visits amongst others. These images represent some of the cats and dogs available for adoption. There are currently 22 adorable dogs, 6 cats, 9 cute kittens and 18 beautiful puppies available for adoption. Do visit BARC if you are considering adoption, you will not be disappointed.

BARC Golf Day - A Resounding Success

The BARC (Birkenhead Animal Welfare Centre) yearly golf day in December 2021 was a resounding success. Forty-eight players from far and wide participated. It was the 6th annual Golf Day. Annalie Jonker from BARC expressed her gratitude to Gansbaai Golf Club for their assistance in making this day possible. The aim for the golf day is to generate funding for the sterilization of pets belonging to lower income owners. Annalie explained to those present that it is an on-going battle to stop the multiplication of puppies and kittens, the only possible solution is through sterilization.

BARC pulled out all the stops to find donors for amazing prizes, with some of the more valuable items auctioned by Bev Swart.

Generous prizes were donated by businesses and by individuals and every player received a prize. BARC would like to thank the following donors (in alphabetic order):

Hole sponsors: Anglo Windows; Build It (wet hole); Eagle Security; Gamco Hippo Mix (wet hole); Gawie Krugel; Hennie Dippenaar; Lize Schoonbee, Marietjies Pub B’Bos; Prof M De Villiers; Sizisa; Villet Group; White Shark Diving Company and White Shark Projects.

Other and cash sponsors: Anonomous (x2) Core; Gansbaai Golf Club; I&J; Lize Schoonbee; Pierre Jacobs and Secma.

Thank you to Hannelie Goosen for the generous 4ball golf game at De Zalze Golf Estate.

Thanks was expressed for the BARC helpers Elsabe Schoombee and Estelle Heyl, who assisted Annalie at the golf day.

From BARC Trust and Management, a big shout out to everyone who contributed to make this golf day so successful. (Thank you Hardus Botha for the information and images).

The next BARC golf day is already booked on the golf calendar for 5 November, please tell all your golf cronies.

This and that...

A DOG’S PRAYER

Now lay me down to sleep
The king-sized bed is soft and deep
I sleep right in the centre groove
My human beings can hardly move
I’ve trapped their legs they’re tucked in tight
And here is where I pass my night
No one disturbs me or dares intrude
Till morning and “I want food!”
I sneak up slowly and begin
To nibble on my human’s chin
For morning’s here it is time to play
I always seem to get my way
So thank you Lord for giving me
This human person that I see
The one who hugs me and holds me tight
And shares their bed with me at night
Amen.

BARC AND THE DOUGH THAT KEEPS IT GOING

Finances tend to be a sensitive subject, more so when the coffers run dry and there are lives and livelihoods at stake, the lives of BARC’S boarded animals and the livelihoods of our trusty personnel. BARC survives on the goodwill of people and on the goodwill of our staff who seem to have a special calling.

Looking after the animals and feeding them is not the cause of our kitty running dry. The bulk of our funds go towards vet expenses. When the animals arrive at BARC they need vaccinations, injections, sterilizations and at times special care for other diseases, these all require vet visits. Even euthanasia when there is no other alternative, has its costs. Petrol expenses for the BARC vehicle has also escalated to about R7000 a month.

If you want to sponsor petrol, you are welcome to pay money into the BARC account, see insert with bank details on this page. You need to indicate the word ’petrol’ and your cell number as reference please. As we reach out to you in our desperate situation, at the same time we thank you for your continued support. BLESS YOU!

BARC Tin Collection

A TIN COLLECTION IN AID OF BARC WILL BE HELD ON 30 APRIL AT THE GREAT WHITE JUNCTION SHOPPING CENTRE, IN GANSBAAI. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS WORTHY CAUSE. THE COLLECTION GOES TOWARDS GENERAL RUNNING COSTS.

Even if you do not consider buying a pet, you could open your heart and MAKE A DIRECT CONTRIBUTION TO BARC. BANK INFORMATION: BARC ANIMAL WELFARE/ NEDBANK/ BRANCH NO 198765. ACCOUNT NO 1498103006. PLEASE REFERENCE YOUR PHONE NUMBER.