Claws was started 20 years ago and has since grown from strength to strength, aiding and assisting destitute, abused, and homeless furry and feathered friends.
Cindy Bortnowski and Rochelle Shellee, who have often been described as animal angels, saw a desperate need in the Goldfields and founded the Caring Loving Animal Welfare Society (Claws), a clever acronym referring to their wards.
“In September 2002 Rochelle and I started Claws with R15 in our pockets and a lot of guts and dreams,” says Cindy.
Claws was given kennel space by the late Dr Willem Brummer, veterinarian, and the public and business sector helped to get the fledgling society up and running.
Vista was in it with the two since the planning phase of the dream, and Volksbladand Forum were always willing and able to help promote the plight of the animals.
“Without the publicity from the media it would have been difficult getting the word out there.
“It has been 20 years of many highs and lows, and thousands of animals have been rescued, rehabilitated, and re-homed,” she says.
From the get-go Cindy and Rochelle have been business partners, best friends, confidantes, mentors, and sometimes just a plain crazy duo of animal devotion.
“I could not imagine doing this with anyone else, and would not want to,” they quip in unison.
Rochelle says the amazing bond that forms when a creature in distress looks at you, the overwhelming joy and laughter that fills your heart when an animal is homed and their whole body is alive with excitement and happiness, has no words.
“Seeing that beyond the bad there are still some really good people out there who are willing to help, who are willing to go the extra mile, makes it all worthwhile.”
Rochelle says every day is a challenge, but with new excitement, laughter, tears, anger, joy and probably emotions not even yet named.
“We would never change this. Working with animals is not a job, it’s not a way to make a living, it’s an absolute calling, it’s a passion, being surrounded by unconditional love every moment of the day and knowing that each bit of love and affection we give the animals is the greatest gift they have had. Doing this work is life changing, it’s a life choice and probably the most rewarding thing anyone can hope for,” says Rochelle.
Rochelle and Cindy have seen it all, from snakes through spiders, dogs, cats, cows, sheep, horses, wild buck, tortoises, porcupines, birds and even a cane rat.
“Never a dull moment, never a day without a laugh and never a day without some weird and wonderful story,” she says.
