Written by Simone Geyser (EberVet Vetshop Station Mall)
With thanks to EberVet Vetshops Station Mall (Hermanus) and Onrus
What started as a food drop quickly became one of the most emotional and humbling experiences we’ve ever had. From the kennels of BARC to the heart of Gansbaai’s informal settlement, we witnessed heartbreak, hope and the extraordinary people who choose compassion every single day.
In January, we received a heartbreaking call from Nols at BARC (Birkenhead Animal Rescue Centre). With funds running dangerously low, he was on the verge of shutting the doors of this vital animal welfare organisation. We knew then that we had to step in. not just with support, but with a mission: to raise awareness of the incredible work BARC does and help keep their doors open.
Since then, EberVet Station Mall has been donating food regularly to BARC. But it’s not just about us, it’s also about local heroes like Dee, one of Gansbaai’s most dedicated animal lovers. A former client of our Gansbaai store before its closure, Dee’s compassion touched all of our hearts. She enters the informal settlements alone, collecting food scraps from local SPAR and OK stores, food that would otherwise be thrown away, and lovingly mixes them with dog food to feed the animals in need.
A Sunday We’ll Never Forget
This past Sunday, our team woke with a knot of emotions. Excitement, nervousness, and determination, tightly woven together. With 670kg of dog food loaded into the back of a bakkie (which made the tyres look suspiciously flat!), we hit the road, unsure of exactly what lay ahead, but proud of what we were about to do.
Our first stop: BARC.
We were given the opportunity to walk through the kennel section and meet the beautiful faces behind everything we work for. One particularly energetic (and slightly jealous!) puppy stole our attention with his prized white ball; and his reluctance to share the spotlight with his siblings.
Each dog, each set of eyes, told a story. But one moment stood still in time, when Charnre from EberVet Onrus came across a shy, withdrawn puppy that refused to come near the front of her kennel. Sitting quietly on the floor, Charnre gently coaxed her forward. What followed was pure magic: the pup crept closer, slowly opening up to a stranger with more trust than we could have imagined. Even the staff at BARC watched in amazement.
From tiny two-week-old pups to older dogs full of life and love, the kennels were filled with animals who still believe in kindness. At the back of the facility, we were shown a colourful mural painted by a local teacher and her students (present at the top of our article). In the centre: a large paw print. For us, it symbolised everything we felt that day, every dog a different, vibrant colour of energy and spirit, brought together by a single, powerful act of compassion.
A Delivery That Mattered
As we opened the bakkie to unload the dog food, the BARC team stood in stunned silence. The sheer amount of food overwhelmed them. The gratitude in the air was palpable. As we gathered for a photo, Nols tried to thank us, but the tears in his eyes said everything words couldn’t.
The Second Part of Our Emotional Sunday
A visit to Gansbaai that left a lasting impact
After our morning at BARC, we made our way to Gansbaai Akademia to meet someone who has quietly become a hero to her community, Dee. As we drove, we took in the scenery, pausing at the parking area to look out over the informal settlement. The sounds and movement of the neighbourhood, cars, dogs, children laughing and playing, adults walking the streets, surrounded us. And then the weight of what we were about to do truly sank in.
We began unpacking the rest of the donated food as we waited. Then we saw her, coming around the corner in her car. And as she stepped out, visibly trembling and in tears, we knew just how much this moment meant. Dee was overwhelmed. We stood with her, tears in our own eyes, as she tried to put her gratitude into words.
She told us about her work, about the daily heartbreak she faces. Dogs stabbed, run over, discarded. Puppies, no longer wanted, killed with tools and thrown into gutters. It’s unimaginable cruelty, and yet Dee meets it with unimaginable strength and purpose.
A Mission of Compassion
Dee has made it her mission to educate the residents of Gansbaai, to show them that animals have worth, that they deserve kindness, care, and love.
She told us about her first days in the settlement, when children laughed at her, confused by what she was doing. But on the third day, something shifted: the children began to ask questions. They started to help. They told her which homes had pets that needed care.
And just like that, Dee wasn’t working alone anymore. She had sparked something, a ripple of compassion in the next generation.
“They Call Her Mamma”
As we followed Dee into the neighbourhood, it was immediately clear how loved she is. People waved, smiled and called her “Mamma.” They knew who she was, and more importantly, they knew she was there to help.
Our first stop was unforgettable. A dog recognised Dee from a distance and let out a joyful wail, an unmistakable sound of love and excitement. Wherever we went, dogs ran toward her, tails wagging, some in desperate need, others simply happy to be seen.
Food was handed out, wounds were cleaned and treated, dogs were dewormed and every single one left that interaction not just fed, but valued.
Humbled and Grateful
There truly aren’t enough words to describe what we experienced that Sunday. But the photos help, and in this case, they speak a thousand words.
We left Gansbaai changed. Humbled. Inspired.
We are so incredibly honoured to have played a small part in supporting Dee’s work. But none of it would be possible without you, our community.
It’s because of your donations, your encouragement, your belief in what we do, that we’re able to reach places like Gansbaai. We’ve cried together over the difficult stories, laughed at the silly moments, and grown stronger as a community.
From all of us at the EberVet Family, thank you. Thank you for helping us make a difference.
Wags and Whiskers received 160kgs;
BARC received 400kgs;
Dee received 200Kgs.
