Fisantekraal Animal Welfare (FAW) helps the dogs and cats of Fisantekraal township, Morning Star, Klipheuwel, and surrounding farms near Durbanville, Western Cape. We started in 2005 and received our official NPO registration in 2006 (NPO 051-348) and, in 2017, we received our PBO certification (PBO 930057641).
Before 2005, the closest animal welfare organisation to the Fisantekraal township was over 30km away. With most residents having low incomes and no transport, there was almost no way
they could get help for their companion animals. The situation was dire. Thousands of animals were ill, neglected, and suffering, and breeding was out of control.
Durbanville resident (Rosa Pheiffer) discovered the horrific situation of the animals in Fisantekraal in 2005 after seeing a terribly ill dog lying by the road, having convulsions, while passersby ignored him. She AWS in Philippi for help.
She realised that this dog was probably just the tip of the iceberg. Unable to walk away from the thought that there may be more like him, she returned to Fisantekraal the following week to see how she could help. It soon became apparent that something had to be done to help the animals – and soon. Dogs bald with mange, starving animals, neglect and abuse, and serious animal overpopulation were rife.
She advertised for volunteers to help her and for funds with which to pay for sterilisations and vaccinations. Slowly, but surely, progress was made and, a few months later, in 2006, Fisantekraal Animal Welfare was officially registered as a Non-Profit Organisation.
Fast forward over a decade and FAW is proud to have made huge inroads into Fisantekraal and surrounding areas. We help farm workers’ animals, and those in Klipheuwel and Morning Star. From one donated shipping container and a plastic tub in which animals could be bathed, and relying on animal welfares from far away to help, we now have 4 shipping containers, paving, a roof, and, in 2017, we were able to start our own on-site operating theatre in order to do sterilisations and minor operations at our premises.
Today, FAW’s main focus is still dog and cat sterilisations (spay/neuter). Animal overpopulation caused by out-of-control breeding is a major problem – it leads to neglect, abuse, chaining of dogs, illnesses (due to there being too many animals in too small a space) and increased injuries caused by dog fights, motor vehicle accidents, and attacks by people.
Banking details: Nedbank - Fisantekraal Animal Welfare - Cheque account - Acc no: 1039094171 – Branch no: 10 39 10 (Tygervalley) THANK YOU! Every little bit helps.
DIRECTIONS: Open Tuesday and Saturday, 09h00 - 12h00. Fisantekraal Township is approximately 10km outside Durbanville.
(Please note that adoptable animals are not at these premises; kindly phone/email to meet them. Thanks!)
FROM DURBANVILLE:
Take Klipheuwel/Malmesbury Road (R302) from Durbanville. Travel past Graanendal and continue on past Groot Phesantekraal.
At the three-way traffic lights (Okavango-Klipheuwel T-junction), continue on and pass the Durbanville Memorial Park and Corobrik.
Take the Lichtenburg Road (R312 Stellenbosch) turn-off to your RIGHT.
Go over the bridge (over the railway).
There are 2 entrances to Fisantekraal to your right, the 1st has a green signboard saying Fisantekraal – take the SECOND turnoff RIGHT after the bridge (you will see a brown sign for the police station).
Fisantekraal Animal Welfare is opposite the police station (a few meters after you’ve turned off) in shipping containers.
FROM the N1
Take Exit 29 - Okavango Road (M137) turn-off direction Uitzicht/Durbanville - and continue until the T-junction with Klipheuwel Road at the traffic lights.
Turn RIGHT onto the Klipheuwel Road and follow the above directions.
Please drive carefully – there are lots of animals and children about!
