The animal rescue organisation New Beginnings, located outside Bloemfontein, had to close down until further notice due to a serious lack of funds.
Leana Truter, fundraiser for New Beginnings, says the charity has just over R2 000 in the bank and is already behind with its veterinary bills. “We have many other bills to pay, sick animals, new rescues, and we have to care for almost 70 animals in our shelter.”
She says all of this cannot be done with a bank balace of R2 000. “In ten years, we have never had a bank balance of this amount, and we have never been in such a serious situation.”
Truter said in a news release that New Beginnings has stopped rescuing animals and suspended all field work until such time as they have enough funds to help them out of the red.
“If not, we will unfortunately have to take drastic steps – something we never thought we would have to do.”
On the New Beginnings Facebook page the team have begun advertising assets for sale in an attempt to gather some funds.
“It is almost our tenth birthday. We never thought that we would end up in a situation like this. We had a big outreach this past weekend and made such a difference, but unfortunately the needs were so high that it took much more than we could afford. We also had people and companies who promised us donations which never came through.”
Truter says it breaks their hearts that they are in this position after emergency auctions, fundraising projects, and events. “Our staff are burnt out because they never rest. They work day and night to get us going again.”
New Beginnings has assisted hundreds of animals this past weekend. “We believe it was worth it, but no one understands the needs out there. It is heartbreaking to know that we will not be able to do anything from here on out.”
Visit the Facebook page New Beginnings (Community Service) to see more.
