This entry was posted on 2018-03-29 by Pet Heaven Store.

Water restrictions in the Western Cape has been difficult for many of us, but have you ever considered the effect of these restrictions at animal shelters? Water is limited to 50 liters per person, per day, but this does not include our precious animals.

Animal shelters such as TEARS consume about 4 kiloliters of water per day, and because of this they have had to make alternate arrangements to ensure that the animals are well cared for. We have reached out to TEARS to find out what preparations they have put in place and how you can continue to assist them.

What will happen to rescue animals when day zero hits?

Based on our usage policy and the fact that TEARS has a well point at each of our premises (Tears’ main kennel facility in Lekkerwater Road, Sunnydale, and our cattery on Wenga Farm, on Kommetjie Road, Sunnydale) the animals in our care will have sufficient water.

What steps are you taking to ensure that shelter animals have enough water when day zero hits?

We installed a well point (tested and suitable for Animal consumption) on both our properties to be able to always provide water for the animals in our care.  We have also started collecting bottled water as a backup reserve, and remain grateful to the public for donations. Bottled water is especially important for use in our two veterinary clinics and as drinking water for young, vulnerable and hospitalised animals in our care.

How do you manage to ensure that water restrictions are met currently?

We use our well point water to clean our Kennels and also for drinking water for the animals.

How much water is required to care for shelter animals?

A minimum of 2 liters per 10kg dog per day.

How can people assist animal shelters to ensure that enough water is collected?

Adopting our Shelter Pets would help tremendously however any new space that becomes available in the Kennels is always filled by another animal needing to be rescued off the street.

Our biggest priority at the moment is sterilisation as a direct means to managing the increase in unwanted and neglected animals in the Western Cape - which will indirectly reduce the amount of animal cruelty cases that TEARS processes on a daily basis. From a water management perspective, our wish list includes:

• Donations of bottled water to our shelter for our reserve back stock – these can be delivered at our Lekkerwater Road kennel facility.
• Monetary/ equipment donation for more rain tanks
• Monetary/ equipment donation to install a purification system
• Monetary donation to install more bore holes.

Donate to TEARS now!