Community Comes Together for Animal Welfare in Gansbaai

On 11 December 2025, a wonderful example of what a caring, committed community can achieve unfolded in Gansbaai, as volunteers, organisations, businesses and individuals came together with a shared goal: to improve the lives of animals in need.

This project marked one of the first collaborative efforts under the newly formed Community Animal Action (CAA) — a community-driven initiative founded by Adele Kokt, Dee Henderson and Sheryll Steyn. CAA was created with a heartfelt purpose: to unite people through compassion, cooperation and practical action, and to create lasting change for animals within our communities.

A True Collaboration

The success of the day was made possible through close collaboration with a number of dedicated animal welfare organisations, including:

• Animals@Peace
• BARC
• Fostering Animals
• PAWS & CO
• SAWS
• SAAWIA

Each organisation brought valuable experience, hands-on support and a deep commitment to animal welfare, helping ensure that the initiative ran smoothly, safely and with care at its core.

Volunteers in Action

The day was powered by people who generously gave their time, skills and hearts.

Volunteers from Country Animal Clinic supported the anaesthetic and pre-operative stations. In contrast, volunteers from Gansbaai and Stanford worked side by side at the recovery station together with CAA (Community Animal Action), creating a calm, supportive space for animals as they woke from surgery.

Post-operative care, including flea and tick treatments, was provided by EberVet Vetshop volunteers from the Station Mall and Vetshop Onrus branches. These teams went a step further by organising focused donation drives specifically for this project, a generous contribution that made a real and tangible difference on the day.

Community and Corporate Support

The initiative was further strengthened by the kindness and generosity of partners and supporters, including:

• EMS Foundation
• EberVet VetShops
• FirstRand Volunteers
• Local businesses and individuals from the community

A special thank you goes to the Hermanus-based EberVet Vetshops, including Vetshop Onrus, who pooled their efforts to maximise donations in support of spaying animals in Gansbaai, a true reflection of teamwork, care and community spirit.

We also warmly acknowledge Overstrand Law Enforcement.

Gratitude and Looking Ahead

We extend our heartfelt thanks to:

• Every volunteer who gave their time, energy and compassion
• All partnering organisations that made the day possible
• Law enforcement for their support
• Donors and sponsors for their generosity
• And the founders and organisers whose dedication brought this initiative to life

Because of this collective effort, animals received essential care, suffering was prevented, and the groundwork was laid for future projects under the CAA banner.

The next Community Animal Action initiative is planned for February, and we look forward to continuing this journey together — building healthier animals, stronger communities, and a kinder future for all.