ANIMAL ANTI CRUELTY LEAGUE “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Mahatma Ghandi
The Animal Anti Cruelty League The Animal Anti Cruelty league is a non-profit organization that is entirely funded by the good will of the animal lovers and receives no subsidies from the government. Through the determination and continued efforts of Olga R. Allen and her fellow partners, Martin Hind and Wendy Harvey among others, the Animal Anti Cruelty League was formed in Johannesburg in 1956. Initially, the league was started to combat the ‘practice of holding rodeos’ in Johannesburg, but after Olga R. Allen became aware of the conditions of the animals in the township their efforts extended to the township areas. Soon after the Johannesburg office established itself, it founded the first branch in Durban in 1959 and saw the start of other branches in South Africa. Some of the most successful offices in the country
of these animals need to be humanely euthanized due to illness, disease and the inability to rehome them for a variety of reasons. The league has set up education programs that concentrate predominantly on visiting underprivileged schools to teach them about sterilization among other issues. Dipping stations and mobile clinic services are readily available in these areas and are rotated daily in a different suburb to provide assistance to those who cannot make it to their home office situated in Cleary Park. The AACL in Port Elizabeth concentrates the majority of their efforts on the Northern areas of Port
include Durban (1959), Cape Town (1969), Ladysmith (1979) and Port Elizabeth (1983).
Elizabeth, which include the areas and squatter camps such as Helenvale, Missionvale, Galvindale,
The Animal Anti Cruelty league (AACL) has since been dedicated in the protection and caring of ani-
to be able to achieve their objectives and effectively help the affected animals. The organization
mals for nearly 50 years and today is the second largest independent Animal Welfare organization in South Africa. The league prefers to educate rather than prosecute owners for the neglect of their animals; they place importance on teaching the public on the proper care of their animals.
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On average, the AACL branch in Port Elizabeth treat 1300 animals per month. Unfortunately, many
Shaudavale, Kleinskool and Malabar. The league relies mostly on the cooperation of the community is actively involved in the community and often goes around to primary and high schools in the Northern areas such as Galvindale Primary, Fernwood Park and Triomph. In addition to their programs at schools they are also involved in community activities and festivals.
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This documentary was recorded over a period of two weeks and required me going out on calls with an experienced field worker, Patsy Wagner. Patsy, who works closely with the people and is well known within the community has been with the AACL Port Elizabeth branch for 28 years and has vast experience in dealing with severe cases of cruelty. In the two-week documentary, I was able to access different severities of cases and bore witness to the duties performed by Patsy, as well as the extent of involvement the AACL plays within the community. One of the first cases I was involved in and able to document, with permission from both Patsy Wagner and the involved animal owners, was a simple call out for an injured dog. This particular case was not a severe injury and Patsy had dealt with these owners before. All that was needed was a bandage for a bleeding paw and some anti-septic to stop infection. These types of cases are common within the area and fairly simple to deal with.
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The Animal Anti Cruelty League operates dipping stations and mobile clinics, offering help and advice to animal’s owners that may not be able to make it to their office. If need be, the owner will sign over the dog for medical attention and the League will treat and return the dog to the owner once after treatment. This picture portrays the dipping station at Helenvale where the owners are encouraged to wash their dogs and bring them in for a check up. They are also given boxes for the dogs to sleep in and some food if it is needed.
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A call was made to the AACL office to collect a stray dog at a residential house in Helenvale. When Patsy arrived on the scene, an elderly woman met us outside and called the dog by its name. She continued to tell us how the dog was sick, and on assessment we realized the dog had a venereal disease, something that is very common within the Township areas. If it is left untreated for a lengthy period of time, this venereal disease then develops into a cancerous tumour near the genitals. It can still be treated in much the same way human cancer is treated with Chemotherapy, but it costs R50 a shot and the dog needs it 3 times a week. Many of the residents in these areas cannot afford the treatment so the option to euthanize the dog is most often the preferred choice. Unfortunately soon after taking this dog back to the centre, the choice was made to euthanize her. The image to the right was taken just before the injection was given to her.
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While on duty in the field Patsy received a call stating their was a feral cat with her kittens that needed to be collected in Helevale, Reginald road. As we arrived at the house in Reginald Road the women brought out a box with 6 kittens, approximately 3-6 weeks old. The feral cat needed to be loaded into a cat box but we were unable to capture her. The women eventually managed to restrain her, but not without getting bitten and clawed first. After loading her safely into the cat box and transporting her back to the office, the decision was made to euthanize her as she was extremely wild which would make it difficult to re-home her. The kittens have since gone up for adoption, as they would be easy to re-home. The picture at the bottom documents how the animals are transported back to the office for treatment or boarding.
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‘We speak for those who cannot speak for themselve’s.’ Animal Anti Cruelty Leauge slogan. This image was taken at the dipping station at Missionvale. A dog which had been treated the previous week was ready to be picked up by his owner. The owner was also collecting food for the dog which is distributed to anyone who asks for food.
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The following pictures were taken at the Northern Arts festival and documents two plays the children acted out for the Animal Anti Cruelty League to create awareness for the most common problems facing the League today. The plays stressed the importance of sterilizing your animals and treating your animals with love and respect. The photograph at the bottom was also taken at the Northern arts festival on day two of the festival. The woman on the left is Patsy Wagner and the dog on the right is the mascot for AACL.
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The top image told the well-known story of the lion and the mouse. The story teaches the lesson of tolerance and co-operation. The second play taught the lesson of sterilizing your animals and how the female dog was much happier once she was no longer having puppies. Many children in the audience as well as adults watched the play.
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Northern Arts Festival: Day 2 The AACL stand educating the public on various cases dealt with over the years. The mascot stands proudly in front of the stand to pose for a picture.
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Many Thanks to Patsy Wagner and the Animal Anti Cruelty league for their continued support and co-operation. Photography by Megan De Souza
http://www.aacl.co.za/ www.megandesouza.com
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