Transkei Animal Welfare Initiative

TAWI (Transkei Animal Welfare Initiative) provides primary animal health care services (primarily for companion animals) to the disadvantaged communities around Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape, where free-roaming domestic animals suffer from over-breading, malnutrition, disease, parasites, infection, neglect and cruelty. There are no veterinary services for 100s of Kilometres and TAWI is the only organisation providing this much-needed service in the whole region. Through community engagement, education and working with people, our involvement addresses needs expressed by the communities with the approach of gaining understanding, acceptance and co-operation. We are not a shelter; we work in an outreach capacity with the philosophy of “rescuing” animals in their own homes. We see that access to basic veterinary services and humane education with children creates empathy, through the fostering of respect for life, creating a culture of caring and empathy for all beings. This is a vital ingredient in the building of communities.