After learning that they needed to find a new home to ‘set up sanctuary,’ Caron Burger and Grace Animal Sanctuary are pulling out all the stops to ensure that the 10,000 animals they’ve rescued will not be the last!
Cape Town, South Africa (29 April 2024) – In the face of adversity, Cape Town’s Grace Animal Sanctuary stands with its head held high, ready to take on the challenge ahead.
For Caron Burger, Grace’s founding member, and her team, the news that they would have to leave their beloved Grace Farm was nothing short of heart-shattering. A place where animals (from dogs to horses and tortoises and even the occasional piglet) have been given a second chance through rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming; Grace Farm has long stood as a lighthouse of hope where change hasn’t just been promised, it has been made. None of this would be possible without Caron, and none of this can continue without public support in rebuilding a new ‘Grace Farm’.
As Mary Grossett, who has known Caron for a number of years says:
“Caron is my superhero. Besides running her own business to support her family (a Clip n Dip dog grooming service that comes to your home), she has been deep in rescue for 19 years. For many years, Caron was a single mom and I still cannot fathom how she finds time to do what she does. She is always rescuing a dog, or a whole litter or [is] on the Grace Farm (a rental property) feeding, walking, taking care of the collection of rescued creatures…”
“Despite working insane hours and seeing horrific things daily, Caron is a ray of sunshine and hope and filled to the brim with positive energy and kindness to all. She has been held at gunpoint, had her phone stolen and NOTHING stops her—she is a WARRIOR for the vulnerable every single day,” Mary adds.
But, with the property having reportedly been sold, Grace’s team have had to come to terms with the fact that they will have to pivot. Shutting down operations is not an option, for too many moments of positive impact are at stake. The non-profit has rescued over 10,000 animals in their time (among a lot of other small victories), but they refuse to allow this to be the end of their story.
Under Caron, Grace Animal Sanctuary takes on the worst-of-the-worst in animal cases, with those equipped to help ready at any time on Grace Farm. When the animals aren’t being rescued or rehabilitated, the team actively search to find them new homes. And outside of Grace Farm, they’re hitting the road to make sure pets in communities like Wesbank are dewormed, sterilized and provided with food. If it’s not the animals who need a meal, they do their best to feed children and the vulnerable. Needless to say, far too much positive impact is at stake.
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Now, the team who are always on a mission to make the life of animals and the vulnerable a little better, are on a new quest—securing a fresh home and rebuilding.
With only a few months until the lease at Grace Farm runs its course (31 August 2024) it’s all hands on deck to secure the R500 000 it’s estimated it will take to rebuild.
Multiple initiatives are running to save Grace Animal Sanctuary from the ‘Buy a Brick’ initiative to quiz nights and thrift sales. With time winding down until the end of their residency, the call is out for the larger public to get behind Grace, and help them continue the unsung work of heroes.
Those looking to get involved can contact info@graceanimalsanctuary.org, call the team here, or simple spread the word by keeping up with Grace on socials.
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