Real Rescuers Are Rare
In the world of animal rescue, real rescuers are rare.
I use the term real rescuers because very few people are willing and able to make the end-to-end commitment required to not only save a life, but to ensure the lifelong health, happiness and safety of everyone who passes through their hands.
Real rescuers give everything to the cause, for no reward other than the joy and fulfilment of ensuring that those without a voice and without a choice receive the very best that life has to offer.
The life of each animal we rescue is in our hands and the choices that we make have a lifelong impact, both to us and the animals whose lives we touch.
The responsibility that goes with this is therefore immense and is taken with great diligence, respect and the deepest levels of consideration, as mistakes can be fatal and are taken as a personal failure, with the ability to inflict irreconcilable damage on everyone involved.
Real Rescuers Don't Get Paid
Real rescuers do not get paid and I personally gave up a massive 6 figure salary and several extremely lucrative business ventures to dedicate myself to rescuing animals.
In fact, not only do we not get paid, we spend our own money, which can very quickly become thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands and eventually, into the millions.
We spend whatever is necessary, without hesitation, wholeheartedly sacrificing all, because we know that these animals have no-one else but us.
We frequently have to donate huge amounts, with no guarantee of success, in order to do whatever is required, whenever it's required.
Money cannot be a factor, it must be available immediately and sometimes we need tens of thousands for one animal, it's not easy and support and specialist help is essential.
Real Rescuers Are Highly Responsible
Real rescuers have many animals in their care - a chicken in the bathroom acting in the capacity of a makeshift hospital, a cat or 5 in the office and a dog in every available space in the house, this is the life of a real rescuer.
It is an enormous responsibility to provide everything that's required, including parasite prevention (fleas, ticks and worms), vaccines, sterilisation, vet care, housing, day-to-day cleaning, feeding, exercising and the management and maintenance that is essential to health and happiness.
In addition, various structures, buildings and fences are needed to keep everyone safe, such as dogs who are not dog-friendly, mothers and babies, animals with special needs and the separation of cats and dogs, in order to ensure a happy, comfortable and secure environment for all.
The building of these needs experience, expertise and materials are expensive, and round-the-clock staff are needed to take care of everyone's needs, all of which is essential in the running of a busy, organised and successful rescue organisation.
Rescuing animals is not a hobby, it's a vocation, you have to be all-in and it's all-consuming, all of the time, as each animal is a precious, unique and irreplaceable gift with infinite dignity and worth, and we love each and every soul whose lives we hold in the palm of our hands.
Real Rescuers Are Always On Duty
Real rescuers are always on duty and even when we are off, which is very rare, we are never truly off, as we have to be on call, 24/7, in case of an emergency.
This means that we have to be contactable all of the time via various means, with plans and backs-up plans in place in case of anything and we have to be able to drive to a vet at a moment's notice.
Safety is the number one concern and everyone has to be alert, ready and switched on at all times.
At the same time, a calm and relaxed environment is critical as our energy affects the animals and a calm and relaxed environment is the most conducive to peace, clarity and level-headedness.
There is always work to do and things to be aware of and taking your eye off the ball even for a moment can result in serious injury or death, and therefore vigilance is key.
Real Rescuers Commit For Life
Real rescuers commit to their animals for life, providing each soul they've rescued with a lifetime guarantee and a permanent lifeline and support system.
Each animal becomes deeply embedded into a rescuers heart and it is impossible to do this work without knowing that they have a secure base, a loving home and the guarantee of never again ending up in a vulnerable situation where their life is at risk.
Not many people are able to provide the level of care that we do and when emergency strikes, it is deep faith combined with specialist help and dogged determination that carries everyone through.
There are times when we have to literally WILL an animal back to life, refusing to quit, working around the clock and overcoming impossible odds, and in most cases, we win.
Real rescuers ensure that each animal has the best chance that life has to offer, their input is invaluable and they have a wealth of experience, knowledge, expertise, contacts, understanding and wisdom to draw from, enabling them to provide the necessary support in times of need.
Real Rescuers Can't Say No
Most animals are rescued because their lives were at risk, either from euthanasia due to irresponsible care, negligence, or lack of care, or because they were abused, abandoned or unloved, and no matter how overwhelmed or over-capacity we are, we can't say no.
Failure to act results in deep suffering, needless deaths and continued abuse and it is therefore critical that we not only extend our hand, but that our rescues are safeguarded for life and never again placed in harms way.
The condition of some of the animals we take in is dire, I have taken animals in who are skin and bone, infested with hundreds of parasites, covered in mange and scabs, with no hair and who are close to giving up.
No animal is too far gone to give them our all and real rescuers stand in the gap when no-one else can or will, we become their Mum, friend, care-giver, lifeline, and most importantly, we are their only and last line of defence.
The supply far outweighs the ability to fulfil the demand and we are always under pressure, but we have no option than to walk in faith and to trust God to make a way, and He always does.
Real Rescuers Are Called
Real rescuers don't choose to do this, it's something we are called to do and we have no option but to fulfil the mandate, no matter the cost to our sanity, bank balance or personal life.
Being there for an animal is the most rewarding, fulfilling and heart-warming thing one can ever do, but it's also the hardest.
In order to save more, we must let go of the ones that can be homed, and even though having a dedicated family is best, it's excruciating to let go of the love and bond that is created, and re-homing criteria includes affordability, peace in our heart and an ongoing relationship.
All animals adore their rescuer, particularly one who has showered them with unconditional love, kindness and affection and has been there for them in their deepest, darkest and most desperate hour of need, loving and nurturing them back to health.
The bond between the rescuer and the animal is unbreakable and the depth of love that is created is very special, never forgotten and always held in the highest regard.
Real Rescuers Walk A Very Difficult Path
Real rescuers walk a very difficult path as those who don't understand what we do can unwittingly destroy relationships, reputations and even the dogs we are trying to save out of jealousy, envy, wrong assumptions, misjudgements or their own limiting beliefs which are projected onto us.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, real rescuers are surrounded by love, support and an army of angels who facilitate, underpin and help us to drive our mission, as we change the world for the better, one wagging tail at a time.
Real rescuers love with all their heart and are loved equally in return, by those they save and those they serve and there is no greater mission in life than to love and be loved.
My only intention is to do everything in my power to safeguard, support and see to it that the animals I have rescued get the absolute best and beyond that, I will encamp armies of angels and intercede upto the highest heavens to get a miracle where one is needed.
I strive to walk in love, peace and harmony with everyone, for the greater good, the betterment of humanity and the utmost best for my rescue animals, and I give with all my heart, freely and fully.
Real Rescuers Are Carried By Grace
Real rescuers have to find deep wells within themselves to enable them to continue when hope has been dashed and battles have been lost.
When we lose, the impact is indescribable, often taking us out for days as we lick our wounds and go over and over our mistakes in a desperate bid to salvage whatever we can, and determine the necessary changes for better outcomes.
In the face of such painful defeats, we can only win by rebellious acts of resilience, absorbing hostility and choosing forgiveness, both of ourselves and others.
We cannot allow mistakes or the limitations of others to limit us, label us, define us or confine us, we cannot take on the projections of the hurt that lives inside people and we have to learn to discern what is ours and what is not, and find ways to continue with our mission, with love.
We are all imperfect, and having done our utmost best, as we press onwards and upwards, we are wholly reliant on grace and God to do the rest.
Real Rescuers Are Richly Blessed
Real rescuers are selfless, they don't have to think twice about doing what they do, there is nothing to think about, the only question to be asked and answered is how deeply we loved, how hard we tried and how firmly we stood to the end.
The faith we must show in the face of overwhelming obstacles, opposition and opposing forces is immense, but God is over all and a real rescuer has to learn to rely on His supreme power.
The work that we do is not work, it is an act of love, where no mountain is too high and no river is too deep and where God carries us where angels fear to tread.
Real rescuers are richly blessed with love, faith and the courage, strength and determination to tell a mountain to move and it moves.
May God raise up more rescuers, may He imbue them with His mighty Power and may His creation be cared for in the most exquisite way, as He intended in the beginning.
Real Rescuers Need Help
Real rescuers need help, it takes a village.
Financial support is critical as everything costs money including food, vet care, fuel, phone calls, WiFi, electricity, water, worker salaries, rent, building materials, the list is endless and money is a critical component.
Supporters can help in a myriad of ways including sharing fundraising, fostering and homing posts to their contacts via WhatsApp and Facebook to help spread the word and save a life.
Offering your home and your heart to an animal in need as a safe haven, whether blessing them with a temporary foster home or gifting a forever home, is also one of the wonderful ways you can contribute, and you will be lavishly rewarded in the most glorious way with unconditional love.
For those who want to get involved in a more profound way, there is no end to the ways we can shine our light by being the change we want to see in the world.
Ways To Connect
It starts with us and the blessings ripple ever outwards, rebounding and creating a stunning circle of life, love and loveliness.
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If you would like to donate, you can message me via my Facebook page or WhatsApp +27 084 287 5050 where I will update you on the various initiatives we have and where to donate.
Thank you in anticipation for your support, we can only do what we do with your help, and it is a privilege and an honour to be able to serve in this way.
