Words: Keri Krug
Woodrock Animal Rescue, a pro-life animal shelter situated along the R511 in Hennops, Johannesburg, has partnered with Pedigree® South Africa for Mandela Day to raise money and awareness for the Woodrock facility and its animals in need. Woodrock is a registered non-profit, pro-life, rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing facility that aims to provide every animal with a loving, caring and safe home.
On Saturday 18th July, when all South Africans honor the late Nelson Mandela’s birthday, Woodrock and Pedigree® have built a yellow wall of 670 boxes of Pedigree® dog food at Woodrock. Together, they invite the public to come and write their birthday message to Madiba on a box of dog food, and to donate R67 each to Woodrock.
“Woodrock Animal Rescue has a well-established reputation built on the fact that we love animals more than people,” admits co-founder and co-owner, Estelle Meldau. “As a result, our animals enjoy a ‘home-away-from-home’ environment where they live in large free-range runs and are not confined to small runs, as can be the situation in other shelters. Each rescue animal receives personal attention, touch and love. This promotes a rehabilitation and healing process so that successful re-homing can occur in the shortest turn-around time possible, creating space for the next rescue” adds Estelle.
“Our goal is to ensure a sustainable lifelong relationship between the new owner and their newly adopted furry friend,” says Estelle’s husband, co-founder and co-owner, Nicholas Meldau. “Every animal deserves a second chance and every effort is made to match each rescue animal to the most suitable home, minimising the chances of having to re-home again if it doesn’t work out.”
Woodrock provides assistance to unfortunate, homeless, abused, neglected, stray, injured, ill, geriatric and unwanted animals that would otherwise have miserable lives and premature deaths. The rescue centre provides food, necessary medical care such as inoculations, vaccinations and sterilizations, as well as preventative medicine including deworming, flea and tick dips.
In addition, Woodrock is involved in educating the public, particularly children, about the importance of pet sterilization and responsible pet ownership. It also educates local communities about the humane treatment of animals. As a township initiative, Woodrock regularly spays and neuters animals from the communities, supplies shelter and comfort to these animals in the form of dog kennels and blankets, provides inoculation and veterinary services including rabies injections, and conducts a regular dipping service.
Furthermore, Woodrock also has homely boarding kennels for people going away on vacation.
Nicholas and Estelle Meldau, the founders and owners of Woodrock, are extremely focused on their goal and their passion and drive have made their vision a reality. In 1992 they bought a house in Woodmead, Sandton, and began taking in stray animals. The initial three animals quickly became 30 animals and they needed to purchase a larger home. The couple, together with an incredible support group, now care for over 150 animals and are reaching out to the public to assist with their whopping monthly R120 000 bill. Furthermore, while they will never turn an animal away, they are at capacity - testament to the staggering amount of animals in need – and appeal to the public to give an animal in need a loving home.
Estelle is known for her tenacious approach and unflinching and uncompromising ways when faced with an animal in need. For her enduring passion she has been nominated in Women & Home’s “Women making a difference” campaign, which searches for the inspiring local women who are working hard to make a positive difference in the lives of South African people and animals.
About Woodrock Animal Rescue (www.woodrockanimalrescue.org.za)
Woodrock is a registered non-profit, pro-life, rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing facility that aims to provide every animal with a loving, caring and safe home. The facility, founded by Nicholas and Estelle Meldau in 1992, is strongly involved in community education and township animal intervention. Woodrock depends solely on the public for funding.
Contact Details
Woodrock Animal Rescue
Estelle Meldau
Woodrock Co-owner
Tel: 076 155 4439 or 084 585 2418
Email:
Website: www.woodrockanimalrescue.org.za
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WoodrockAnimalRescue?fref=ts
Address: Plot 51, R511, Hennops River Valley, Johannesburg
Banking details
Woodrock Dog Rescue
Standard Bank Rivonia
Account number: 425 369 161
Savings Account
Branch code: 001255
Swift code (international): SBZAZAJJ
SMS "dog" to 40733 to donate R20 to Woodrock
Certificate of NPO available on request.
