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Dear Supporters,

With spring arriving, we have birds chirping, flowers blooming, and the the rise of temperatures —this means, spring is the perfect season to spend time with your pets outdoors.   Sadly with all the "happiness" surrounding springtime, this time of year also brings the burden of litters and litters of abandoned and surrendered puppies and kittens, which in turn means more animals dropped at our kennels, and more mouths to feed, while trying to convince owners to sterilize their pets, sometimes with absolutely no success.
We would like to thank all our loyal supporters for their generosity in making donations or just dropping in for a a few words of encouragement or giving a heartfelt thank you hug after we assisted in a time of need.
Pawfully yours.....

 
Since January this year up to 31 August our clinic sterilized 657 animals of which 181 sterilizations were sponsored by members of public. Only 343 sterilizations to go,  to reach our goal!

January - 49 sterilizations
February - 93 sterilizations
March - 102 sterilizations
April - 72 sterilizations
May - 89 sterilizations
June - 80 sterilizations
July - 88 sterilizations
August - 84 sterilizations

Thank you to the amazing supporters that sponsored R350 towards the sterilization of an animal in need.  We will continue our efforts to sterilize animals and reach our goal of 1000 by the end of the year.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOTICE
WHEN WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLANT A SEED, WE WILL GO THE EXTRA MILE.
 
DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE 84 LEARNERS FROM FRAAISIG SCHOOL IN THE IMPORTANCE OF ANIMAL CARE, STERILIZATION OF PETS AND HOW TO KEEP YOUR ANIMALS SAFE AND HEALTHY. THANK YOU TO INSPECTOR LASTBORN AND VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR JANET UPSHER FOR TAKING THE TIME TO VISIT FRAAISIG SCHOOL.
*
MORE THAN 100 LEARNERS FROM SUNRIDGE PRIMARY ALSO VISITED OUR KENNELS TO DO A TASK ON ANIMAL WELFARE.
THE FOCUS:
 *WHAT ANIMAL WELFARE STAND FOR,
*WHAT TO DO ABOUT STRAY ANIMALS,
*AND HOW OUR CLINIC CAN ASSIST WITH SICK ANIMALS.
 *
EDUCATION PLAYS A VITAL ROLE AND WE ARE SO GLAD THAT WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE PROPER ANIMAL CARE!
 
Springtime Pet-Care Tips
By Better Homes & Gardens

Bees and Butterflies
With the weather warming up, your pet will be eager to get outside and start exploring. However, be cautious of buzzing insects; curious cats and dogs can be stung by bees if they stick their nose a little too close.
If your cat or dog gets stung, your best bet is to call your veterinarian and describe your pet's symptoms. Like humans, animals' allergic reactions differ in severity, so as soon as you notice that your pet has been stung, act fast to avoid further complications.

Grass Is Always Greener
April showers bring May flowers ... and they also bring lush, green grass. Don't be alarmed if your pet munches on grass now and again; for the most part, it's completely normal. For whatever reason, most dogs nibble on grass from time to time.
If your dog makes a habit of eating grass in large quantities, it's best to have your pet looked at. Eating grass can be a sign of an upset stomach, so if your dog has eaten something that isn't settling, it might turn to grass as a natural remedy. 

Bird's the Word
Spring is often signaled by the beautiful trills of returning songbirds—and with the birds come hatching eggs throughout the neighborhood and nearby parks. For these birds and their fledglings, cats pose a serious threat. If your cat is allowed outdoors, check out the next slide for tips on how to stop your cat from making a meal of local birds.

Here are a few tips to keep your kitty from bringing Tweety bird to your doorstep.
  • Fasten a bell to your cat's collar. The noise will warn birds before it's too late.
  • Feed your cat. It sounds simple but making sure your cat is well-fed can help reduce its hunting urges.
  • Corral your cat during feeding hours. The times that birds are most active—around sunset and sunrise, or after bad weather—are prime feeding times for your cat. Make sure your cat is inside during these times to avoid a feeding frenzy.
  • Elevate bird feeders. Avoid feeding birds on the ground. Place seed up in a feeder or on elevated ground. Even if Kitty is a climber, it will take more work for your cat and possibly give the birds enough time to see the imposing threat.
Flower Power
With gardening in full swing during the spring, pay special attention to poisonous plants that are accessible to your cat or dog. Popular outdoor plants that are poisonous to cats and dogs include rhododendron, sago palm, and azalea, to name a few.

Spring Cleaning
It's time to clean house! When using harsh cleaning chemicals around your home, keep your pets out of harm's way. Almost all cleaning products contain chemicals that are harmful to animals. If it's a nice day, open windows while cleaning to air out the chemicals, or secure your dog outside while you clean and allow the chemicals to air out before bringing your pet back inside.

Lawn-Care Essentials
Spring is a great time to get your lawn in tip-top shape. However, many of the chemicals used on your lawn and garden can be dangerous to your pet. Fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides are usually poisonous and not meant for consumption. Always read the labels and heed the recommended waiting period before allowing your pet back on the lawn.

Preventive Measures
Once the ground thaws, the bugs begin to emerge. Make sure your pet is up-to-date on its medications, including flea and tick medication and heartworm preventative. These medications should be taken monthly to keep your pet safe from these pesky insects and parasites.
If your pet does get a tick, follow these steps to ensure quick and painless removal:
  1. Wearing gloves and using a pair of tweezers, grab the tick as close to your pet's skin as you can. Pull straight up in a swift movement, making sure not to grip too hard.
  2. Place the tick in a screw-top jar containing some rubbing alcohol. Screw on the lid.
  3. Disinfect the bite site on your pet. Wash your hands thoroughly and disinfect all tools that came in contact with the tick.
  4. Monitor the bite site. If it is still inflamed after a week or so, bring your pet and the tick in to the veterinarian for examination.

Spring is a great time to be out and about with your pet. Taking long walks around your neighborhood, playing Frisbee in the backyard, and exploring nearby parks are fun ways to spend time with your pet. Just make sure your pet's collar is up-to-date with current ID tags that include your name, phone number, and address, just in case your pet wanders a bit too far. Also, it's best to have your dog or cat micro-chipped for easy detection if it is picked up by an animal shelter.


 
DOG ALLERGIES, BEST TO CONTACT YOUR VET IF YOUR DOG SHOWS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS.
Photo: Tracey Adams / African News Agency (ANA)

Worst canine outbreak animal welfare agency has faced
 11 September 2018 / Okuhle Hlati (Cape Times)

Knysna Animal Welfare organisation has described the incurable canine distemper, which led to close to 300 dogs being euthanised, as the worst outbreak they had to deal with.

The virus had been picked up in one street in Hornlee with 10 cases of infection reported earlier this year.

It quickly spread in the five months from March to August, resulting in 271 dogs being put down.

“We thought we were winning the battle, but the numbers spiked again in July and August from the areas where it all started. 

"Since the announcement of the disease, our clinic was flooded the first few days with vaccination requests. Others sadly came too late,” said Knysna Animal Welfare Society (Kaws) spokesperson Retha Havenga.

 

The virus had also put tremendous financial strain on KAWS to get the disease under control and their kennels had to be under quarantine for a few days, said the organisation.

“In my time working at a welfare agency, this has been the worst outbreak we had to deal with.
 

“We have been working in animal welfare for nearly five years. Trying to get funds we initiated a sponsor-a-vac campaign, so the public could make a donation of R100 to help pay for the vaccinations, but it was less than 20 vaccinations paid for.

“When the owners can’t afford to pay we as the society do it free of charge and buy the vaccine ourselves. We don’t get the vaccines for free, so sadly we received no help from outside.” 

She said strict access and procedures had to be in place while the kennels were under quarantine to ensure that all animals entering the premises were disinfected.

“Our first priority was keeping our adoption animals and normal hospital patients safe. Animals visiting the clinic area with symptoms of the virus were admitted separately and did not have access to our general public areas.

“That way we could control the spread of the virus. Animals lovers should get their animals vaccinated, especially puppies at 6, 10 and 12 weeks, and then yearly, to make sure they do not get sick, especially with puppy season around the corner.

“Sadly, distemper will not only claim the lives of puppies, but that of adults too. Animals not vaccinated stand the risk to be infected.” 

The newest strain of the distemper virus causes aggressive symptoms, mainly neurological that closely resemble rabies symptoms. It spreads through the air and by direct or indirect (that is, utensils, bedding) contact with an infected animal.

ANIMAL WARRIOR OF THE MONTH
HOW CAN YOU NOT FEEL OVERWHELMED WHEN A YOUNG LADY WITH A HEART OF GOLD VISITS OUR KENNELS TO DONATE HER POCKET MONEY TOWARDS FOOD FOR OUR ANIMALS. THANK YOU AMY CROZETT, YOU ARE ONE SPECIAL GIRL!
WITH LOVE FROM ALL THE KAWS ANIMALS! 
 
KAWS IN DIRE NEED OF ASSISTANCE
 
Journalist Stefan Goosen | Thursday, 27 September 2018, 

KNYSNA NEWS - When a video depicting the "mistreatment" of dog carcasses by Knysna Animal Welfare Society (Kaws) workers spread through the Garden Route's social media pages recently, animal lovers were up in arms. Most commenters focused on the manner in which the carcasses were handled and Kaws employees were widely criticised.
Kaws, however, maintains that what such detractors – including the Mossel Bay Facebook user who initially posted the video without contacting Kaws – might not have thought of is that the images depicted are just the tip of the practically insurmountable iceberg for those who try their very best to assist the community and its loved and forgotten animals.
To live a day in one of these workers' shoes is something Kaws general manager Annelien Kitley would not wish on anyone.

'Daily struggle'
On a daily basis, she says, Kaws needs to worry about where their next load of pet food will come from, whether they have enough space for sick animals, and which of the many healthy animals, including babies, will have to be put down as, legally, Kaws cannot have more than 60 animals on their premises at a given time. Then there is the recent distemper epidemic that hit Knysna to deal with as well.
"Imagine that you are faced with countless healthy, beautiful animals that could easily be adopted, but because of the lack of space to house these animals, you have to decide which ones to put down since you already have a number of animals still awaiting adoption," Kitley says. "Then we still have to bury them – our inspectors go through this emotional turmoil daily, weekly, monthly."

In total, Kaws has had to euthanase more than 1 400 animals this year due to illness (including distemper cases since March), owners not claiming their stray pets, residents surrendering their pets, and the lack of space.

'Freezers are full'
And now, according to Kitley, another worry has been added to their already overburdened plate as there is no more space for Kaws to bury the animals due to the negative media attention the video received. Following the reports, the municipality informed Kaws they have to close the burial site, she says, adding, "Our freezers are full and we have had to start turning sick animals away."
Kitley says they have explored a number of alternatives to solve the issue – together with the municipality – but that none has borne fruit so far. There are very few sites in the Garden Route that are legally allowed to accept animal burials.
What bothers Kitley most about the video is that the person who uploaded it onto Facebook did not contact Kaws to raise the issue with them, and she says the grave was dug up so that the person could take the photos. "All the person did was create sensation, ruin some of the good work we do and leave us unable to accept and euthanase ill and diseased animals, therefore leaving these animals to suffer further," says Kitley.
Knysna-Plett Herald was unable to track down the person in question at the time of going to print.

The municipality says, regarding the burial space, that its solid waste department has commenced with the supply chain process to find a suitable candidate to provide these services on behalf of the municipality. No time-frame was given in its response to KPH.

Can you help?
On the day of Knysna Plett-Herald's visit at Kaws, on 20 September, the organisation's extremely urgent need was evident when Kitley opened their storeroom to show the few bags of pet food left. Kaws is appealing to the community to donate funds or food by contacting 044 384 1603.
 
 
Congratulations to all the winners and winning images chosen to feature in our 2019 Calendar, winners were notified by email and we will keep our winners a bit more in suspense with the announcement of the chosen images. We had so many stunning entries, it was truly no easy task for our judges to choose only 25 images.
We would like to thank all the supporters that entered, in support of our Society.
The calendar will be available by end October 2018
KAWS SHOP
COMMUNITY SERVICE - GIVING BACK - AND HAVING FUN WHILE DOING IT.

The learners from Oakhill visited our kennels to do an hour of community service.  Thank you to all the learners for making time to assist our staff as well as donating food for our animals.
 
OAKHILL LEARNERS ALSO SPOILING OUR STAFF WITH CUPCAKES, THANK YOU TO ALL INVOLVED, A TRUE HEARTWARMING ACT OF KINDNESS.
KAWS BOOK SALE
 
Once again our ever popular book sale at Knysna Mall on 1st September attracted lots of visitors, eager to see what books we had on offer. From crime to cookery, adventure to art and fun to fantasy – we had it all! Well, we did at the start – but thanks to the support of Knysna public by the end of the morning we sold much more than expected and managed to raise R6880 from the event!
 
As always many people worked behind the scenes (and in front) to help make the event a success. Thanks go to the volunteers in the KAWS Charity shop who carefully selected and packed the books for us, to the ever willing volunteers to assisted with transporting the books and setting up the stand – and of course selling the books,  and then packing up and returning the books to the shop where Mikey and her staff unpacked and put the returned ones back into the shop again.
 
Thanks go to Elaine Elliott, Elaine Hunneysett, Lesley Fox, Nula Gallagher, Gill Hogg, Noel McKenzie, George and Liesel Winter and Margot Green for their hard work transporting and selling books to make the actual sale a success – we couldn’t do it without you all – THANK YOU!
Gill Hogg, Elaine Hunneysett & Noel McKenzie running the book stall
Bon Voyage to Sophie Paakjaer, our Veterinary Intern all the way from Denmark, thank you to all  Sophie's friends and family from Denmark for the generous donation of R3000 received!
(Left to right) Clinic team, Goodman, Dr Anesca, Sofie and Dirk
THANK YOU FROM Sofie Paakjaer

I have done 6 weeks of veterinary internship at Knysna Animal Welfare Society and it has been absolutely amazing.  I got to see the progress of every animal in treatment, and I am so impressed with how they manage to diagnose and treat every animal so well with the limited resources they have.  You get the feeling that KAWS is an amazing community the second you walk inside, and I am sure that the families never doubt that they leave their pets in good hands with people that care a lot about animal welfare.  It's clear that this place appreciates every single donation, and now I've seen how it really does make a difference.  Thank you KAWS for 6 awesome weeks.
With love Sopie
A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OUR MY SCHOOL SUPPORTERS, THE AMOUNT RAISED DURING AUGUST 2018 WILL PAY FOR OUR NEXT MINI SPAY DAY TO BE HELD ON THE 17TH OF OCTOBER 2018
 
IT’S FESTIVAL TIME AGAIN!!!
 
 The year is drawing to a close and the Leisure Isle Festival will once again take place soon - this year it is on 3 & 4 November.  KAWS will have our usual stall of “upcycled” Christmas gifts and goodies there and it is always hugely popular with visitors to the festival  - in fact some people make it their first stop off point and do their whole Christmas shopping at our stall! We are often asked how people can be involved in making this stall a success so let us explain how it works.
 
Our team of helpers for this event, headed up by Elaine Elliott, gather “gently used” and new items throughout the year, to be turned into special and unique Christmas gifts. The hard (but fun)  work takes place during October when groups of busy volunteers gather each week day to sort, choose, wrap and decorate these items into special creations. The fingers fly, the chatter is witty and amusing – and to top it off the workers share a yummy lunch each day to keep their spirits up!  If you would like to be part of this fun and dedicated team, we are always looking for new faces to join us and share their ideas to make our gifts that bit special and different. No experience or skill is necessary – just a couple of hours to spare and willingness to get involved.
 
Then on the weekend itself – we also need helpers to run the stand for the Saturday and Sunday. This is a really heartwarming project to be involved with as everyone who visits our stand is so complimentary and thrilled with the wonderful goods for sale.  You get to meet fun people, enjoy being part of the fabric and excitement of the festival – AND raise money for KAWS!
 
Finally, if it’s not your thing to be involved to that level, we still need donations of new and slightly used items that we can zhoosh-up and recreate as something else for the stall. So please, have a final look through your cosmetics, toiletries, jewellery, ornaments, gifts-you-might-have-received-but-no-longer-want and general household items to see if you have something you can let us have to include in this year’s offerings.  All that we ask is that it is re-saleable if it is a pre-loved item.
 
We also accept donations of new items – in fact some generous people specifically purchase goods for us to sell which is very generous of them – and we do put them to very good use. We also need donations of home-made fudge and cookies just before the festival as these sell really well, especially when presented in a special container as a gift.
 
So, if you would like to help make the 2018 KAWS Leisure Isle Festival stall a roaring success in any way, please get in touch with us and we will willingly include you. Also if you have any items to donate, please let us know and we will organize collection.
 

You can contact Elaine on  082 360 4580 or  elainebrenton@telkomsa.net   or Cathie on 083 291 7967 or cathie.garner@arup.com
 
 
See you at the Festival!
 
Copyright ©  2018,  Knysna Animal Welfare Society, All rights reserved.


Our mailing address is:
kaws@lantic.net - KAWS MANAGER
kawssocial@gmail.com - KAWS PUBLIC RELATIONS
kawsshop@lantic.net - KAWS SHOP

CONTACT DETAILS:
044 384 1603 / 073 461 9825 (emergency number)

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Knysna Animal Welfare Society · 1 Marlin Street · Hunters Home · Knysna, Western Cape 6571 · South Africa

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