In the shadowed valleys of the Western Cape, where the hum of rural life often drowns out the cries of the voiceless, ROAR for PAWS continues its unwavering outreach mission—showing up for the forgotten, the hungry, and the unseen. On June 14th, powered by compassion and a bakkie brimming with supplies (thanks to Petworld’s generous support), the ROAR team embarked on another impactful outreach. But this wasn’t just any day—it was a day of coming full circle.
A Call from the Past
Just days before the scheduled outreach, ROAR received an unexpected call. It was from a farmworker at Babylonstoren—a location long removed from the outreach route after a past encounter left the team shaken. The memory of that day still lingered: a group of teens, aggression, and a tough decision not to return. But this time, the message was different. “Please come back,” he asked. “Things are better now.”
And so, with both hesitation and hope, ROAR added Babylonstoren back to the map.
Stop One: Bittersweet Beginnings at Botriviervlei
The day began at Botriviervlei, where familiar paws met the team with eager excitement—though one precious friend was missing. Punte, a regular and much-loved resident, had passed. His empty kennel stood quietly as a tribute to the joy he once brought. While the absence was deeply felt, new life had arrived in the form of puppies and a curious kitten, reminding the team that the cycle of care must go on.
Stop Two: Babylonstoren – A Reunion Written in Trust
Climbing back up into the mountains, Babylonstoren awaited—still remote, still without cellphone reception, still carrying the emotional weight of past events. But change was in the air. The man who had reached out greeted the team with gratitude and assurances that their safety and purpose were understood.
His Pitbull-cross and his neighbour’s dog both urgently needed sterilisation. As the team waited at the farm entrance, not knowing what to expect, the animals spoke first. Jackie rolled over in the dust for a belly rub, and Mamma—the farm’s elderly matriarch—slowly emerged from the shadows, toothless and tired, but with unmistakable recognition in her eyes. She was still here. Still waiting. Still hoping.
Four animals at Babylonstoren now await sterilisation, and the trust rebuilt today during the outreach will open the door for more care to follow.
Outreach Stop Three: Sunshine, Smiles, and Jinx at Jakkalshoogte
By midday, the chill had lifted and the sun cast a warm glow over Jakkalshoogte. Jinx and Renco stood at the fence, eyes gleaming. They had seen the ROAR outreach bakkie pass earlier and waited patiently for its return. Ten dogs here received hearty meals—crunchy pellets, savoury tins, and in Blackie’s case, a shared bite of egg from a volunteer’s breakfast.
While food nourished the body, tick and flea treatments worked quietly to ease discomfort. Rasta, true to his name, stood shaggy and in need of grooming—his dreadlocked fur a monthly challenge that only the ROAR team could tackle. Two more puppies here are next in line for sterilisation.
Stop Four: Feline Frenzy and Humane Solutions at La Rhine
At La Rhine, it was the cats who welcomed the team first. They devoured Bon Appétit pâté with a mix of dainty nibbles and food-frenzied chaos. Eight dogs and two cats here rely on ROAR’s ongoing support, and while parasites weren’t a major issue at this stop, the farmer’s strict rules were: all dogs must be on runners.
Due to past livestock incidents, the dogs’ movement is limited—but ROAR supplies humane runners that allow them space and freedom within safe limits. One more puppy here is awaiting the chance to be “maak toe,” as locals describe sterilisation in endearing simplicity.
The Bigger Picture: 11 Lives Awaiting a Better Tomorrow
This outreach revealed 9 dogs (6 female, 3 male) and 2 cats (both female) urgently needing sterilisation. With welfare rates ranging from R350 to R615 per procedure, every donation counts.
Ways You Can Help:
📍 Donate bowls and containers – Many animals have no food or water bowls. Even old ice cream tubs are welcome!
📍 Sponsor a Sterilisation – Stop the suffering before it starts.
📍 Drop off donations at Petworld Cape Gate, Brackenfell, or reach out for collection.
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Costs Welfare Rates:
Dog Spay: R615
Dog Neuter: R485
Cat Spay: R485
Cat Neuter: R350
Vaccinations: R150
Direct Vet Donations:
Cape Companions Veterinary Clinic
Standard Bank | Account: 10137642723
Branch Code: 051001 | Ref: ROAR Project
Additional Needs
As noted and seen in our outreach photos, many animals don’t have proper food or water bowls—some have none at all. If you have spares, please let us know. Many of the dogs need blankets, tick and flea treatments and de-worming. We can arrange collection or they can be dropped off at:
Petworld Cape Gate
Location: Brackenfell
Thank you to everyone who continues to support the ROAR Project. Every donation, whether food, funds, or time, helps us make life just a bit better for these deserving animals. Learn more about ROAR here:
