WOW! Here we are at the end of 2018 and the start of 2019. Congratulations, you made it! We wish you and your equine friends a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Before we go any further, herewith some of our Statistics for the past year: Complaints 169 attended to; 364 Rechecks on adopted out horses and old complaints; for 964 Thoroughbreds, donkeys and Crossbreeds; and Thoroughbreds, donkeys and Crossbreeds adopted out over the year – A stunning 62. No wonder we have a petrol account!!
But back to December 2018 and what we have been up to for the past month.
New Turf Carriers arrived to take two of our donks to their new home in Gauteng. Treated like royalty, they travelled well and were welcomed with open arms by their new doting parent. NOTHING like their previous lives!! Our GNU and SPUD being loved and cared for as never before. Go well, kids!
A Complaint received of a stray donkey on the Perseverance Road was attended to but the donk was not found!
Traci Vink organised a dog walk at Grassroof in aide of the Horse Care Unit and by all accounts it was another good ‘un. Thank you, Traci! The donks and horses really enjoyed the donated carrots and apples!
As so often happens, there is a miscommunication between people and organisations. So, we were asked to collect a dead donkey in Kwanobuhle by the owner. At the same time SPCA advised that the two missing donkeys that had been at the SAPS in Nobuhle, had returned to the SAPS. In the meantime, SPCA advised that they had arranged for the removal of the carcass by the NMMM, but they asked if the two donkeys at Nobuhle SAPS could be brought to the SPCA. One way and another, everything sorted to everybody’s satisfaction.
We were advised of a problem with horses on Jeffreys Bay beach. In consultation with JBay Animal Sanctuary’s Jessie, a very kind horse owner had put her hand up to keep the horse with her horses and with the approval of the owner. Well done and Thank You! The necessary deworming et al done. The relevant SAPS notification has been completed.
Our SOPHIE and SHIRLEY, donkey jennies, were safely delivered to their new parent. I am sure that they won’t know what has hit them, with all the grazing available in contrast to their previous home in the township where there was little grazing, lots of harassment from locals and no safety!
A transfer with minimum faffing of two donks from one home to another to join up with other donkeys adopted out by us. Well done, Carla and Stanley!
Then with much jubilation on our part, our LIGHTNING was collected to go and play with a young lady. Lightning has waited over a year for her adoption having been surrendered as part of a herd of 8 more than a year ago. We wish her and her rider well for the future.
A Complaint received about neighbouring fences down and causing heartburn to one neighbour. Oh dear, one would think that this would be an automatic ‘fix’!
A Complaint about some pigs in Motherwell was transferred to SPCA and the NMMM Animal Control Department.
A Complaint received about a horse in Noupoort, Free State Province. It took some time to sort out the wheat from the chaff, but it is waaaay out of our boundaries.
On the 20th, I took all the staff to Kragga Kamma Game Park for a Christmas lunch and drive around, my treat for these longsuffering, loyal, hardworking staff – ALL of them.
A donkey collected by Carla from Kwanobuhle for his leg to be treated. He had stood in a hole and stripped the skin off his leg. Healing well with some Penicillin and that marvel, MIRACLE FOAM.
Another Complaint received about horses with NO WATER in these terribly hot times we have had. Carla sorted it out pronto and now the horses have water AND fodder.
As always at this time of the year, Stanley heads off to Transkei for Traditional Racing meetings. At the same time, he takes a couple of days to meet up with other equine owners in Villages across the area to see to their problems and to assist. We await his return and Report on his visit with bated breath!
We are happy to report that on Christmas Day, a drongo was found in the water trough. He was standing in the water shivering and unable to leave due to his wet feathers. He was lifted out and was quite happy to sit on my hand while his feathers dried off and then off he flew. Was a very nice Christmas gift!
DONATIONS OF TIME AND GOODS FOR WHICH WE THANK YOU!
MAVIS – Christmas box
FIONA, WALKATO.SA - donation of bales grassmix.
Rhoda – arrived with Gifts – nectarines and juice for all staff
Juanita – carrots donated
EC SHOWINNG RAFFLE from Juliet – R370
Sally – donated tack
A School – donation of 7 bales grassmix
INFINITY ATHLETIC CLUB - donation of R710.70 from Dressage display by Ayanda
KEEP CARING – Amy Erasmus and all her friends donated lots of carrots and fed some too.
Isabella – donated biscuits for the staff
Mary – 15 bales Lucerne.
Volunteers – Alex, Lee Anne and Amy, Eugene and Dom, Robyn, Meagan and Sophie, Juanita, Kaylin ride
We would like to thank all these folk for their valuable time and resources over the past year. We really value your help, especially those who come to ride and exercise our equines. We could not do it without you!
To all the donors and bidders and buyers on the Auction Page, a sincere thanks for your generous support over the past year. Especially thanks to Tracy who so enjoys finding and putting up the picture for you to bid on.
A sincere thanks to all those souls who without any arm twisting, put generous amounts of money in the bank account. We so need it and thank you for your generosity.
OK, Goodbye 2018 and welcome to 2019!
We wish you all a pain free 2019 to you and your equines!
Banking Details: Standard Bank Account 080733875, Code 0512001. Reference: Your name or project
Facebook: EAST CAPE HORSE CARE UNIT
Contact numbers Office cellphone 072 357 2505
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