In the forgotten corners of Cape Town’s Helderberg region — where poverty tightens its grip and animals are too often left behind — a quiet revolution is taking place. It’s being led not by megaphones or massive budgets but by compassion, grit, and an unwavering belief that every life matters.
This is the story of The Outreach Program (TOP) — a small, community-rooted rescue that’s fighting on the frontlines to change the fate of animals who have known only neglect, hunger, and fear. And it’s a story that’s only just beginning.
A Legacy of Compassion, A Future Reimagined
TOP began in 2016 as a grassroots initiative in Chris Nissen Park, originally part of Cape Dachshund Rescue. But the need quickly surpassed the scope of a single breed. What began as a response to local suffering has since grown into an independent, registered non-profit organization, now reaching deep into the Helderberg’s most vulnerable communities.
Here, TOP doesn’t just rescue animals — they restore dignity, create hope, and teach compassion from the ground up.
The Beating Heart of TOP: Education, Sterilization, and Rescue
At the core of TOP’s mission are three essential pillars:
Education: Pet owners are empowered through knowledge — learning the importance of vaccinations, sterilisation, deworming, flea and tick prevention, grooming, nutrition, and basic healthcare.
Sterilisation: TOP believes that sterilization is the most powerful tool in ending suffering. Every spay or neuter is a future litter prevented — a chain of suffering broken before it can begin.
Rescue & Rehoming: Injured, abandoned, or surrendered animals are treated with urgency and compassion, then rehomed into loving families. The cycle repeats — each life saved a powerful reminder of what’s possible.
A New Dawn: Chantal’s Vision for the Future
Four weeks ago, Chantal stepped in to lead The Outreach Program — and in just one month, 75 kittens have already been rehomed under her care. That’s not a statistic — that’s 75 new beginnings. 75 families transformed. 75 fragile lives lifted out of danger.
Chantal brings with her not only decades of love for animals but a fierce determination to grow TOP into a multi-dimensional rescue powerhouse. Her heart belongs especially to cats and kittens, and she’s building a strong, devoted team to ensure that dogs continue to receive the same life-saving care they always have.
“I believe in the power of second chances — not just for animals, but for communities. Every rescue is a ripple of hope. And we’re just getting started.” — Chantal, Director of The Outreach Program
Supplies Save Lives: What TOP Urgently Needs
Behind every rescue is a mountain of supplies — and right now, TOP’s shelves are bare. If you're wondering how to help, this is where your impact begins.
Items urgently needed:
• Tick and flea medications
• Pet shampoo
• Cleaning supplies (disinfectant, gloves, etc.)
• Blankets and pet beds
• Food and water bowls
• Wet and dry pet food (especially puppy and kitten)
• Toys and basic enrichment
• Gently used household goods for fundraising (books, decor, clothing, cookware)
📍 Drop-off Locations (label clearly for TOP):
• Ebervet Pet Clinic
• Ebervet Lion Square
• Ebervet Strand
Donate Financially — Every Rand Counts
Your donation helps cover vet care, fuel for transport, food for hungry animals, and the sterilisations that save generations.
Banking Details:
Bank: Capitec Bank
Account Name: Farm Paws
Account Number: 4001678977
Account Type: Savings
Branch Code: 470010 (Universal Branch Code)
Reference: Your Name + Donation
Stand With TOP: Be Their Voice
The Outreach Program doesn’t have fleets of vehicles or fancy buildings. What they have is heart, honesty, and hands in the dirt — rescuing, comforting, and fighting for those who have no voice.
Their work is relentless. It’s heartbreaking. But it’s also beautiful. Because every time an animal finds safety, or a child learns to care for their first pet, or a family welcomes a rescue into their home — something shifts. And a kinder, more compassionate world takes one small step closer.
Join Petworld in supporting this extraordinary rescue. Donate, share, adopt — and help The Outreach Program continue being a light in the darkness for Helderberg’s most vulnerable animals.
Because when we stand together, no life is ever truly lost.
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/TheOutreachProgramTOP
Contact: info@top.capetown