The Animal Rescue Organisation raised more than R100 000 at a fund-raiser at Kelvin Grove, Newlands, on World Animal Day, on Friday October 4.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis was among the more than 300 guests who attended the event, which had comedian Alan Committie as its MC.

Sponsored prizes were raffled and guests also took part in a fund-raising auction.

The ARO touched the lives of both the thousands of animals it helped as well as the people who cared for those animals, said Mr Hill-Lewis.

“The ARO in its history has helped over 25 000 animal vaccinations, deworming, tick and flea treatment. This is an incredible feat done by an organisation that exists only on the back of donor funding,” said Mr Hill-Lewis.

The ARO has its main hospital in Schaapkraal and runs mobile clinics in Philippi, Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Mfuleni and Samora Machel. It also has several charity shops and holds a twice-a-month charity pop-up shop in Rondebosch Park.

Long-time ARO volunteer Glenda Norman, from Jim se Bos near Schaapkraal, has been supporting the organisation for more than six years.

She has previously worked for the Domestic Animal Rescue Group and Adopt a Pet.

“I have always been passionate about animals. They bring joy to our lives,” she said.

Ms Norman takes animals to be sterilised and given treatment by ARO, and she also educates members of her community about animal care.

“ARO do so much work in poor communities in giving free vaccinations and sterilisations and they do so with limited funding,” she said.

ARO executive director Teagan Schwerin said they were overwhelmed by the support from all their donors.

The organisation was R200 000 short of the R1 million it hoped to raise to fund the sterilisation of 1800 animals for the year, she said.

Visit animalrescue.org.za or email ARO's fund-raising manager, Lindsey Concer at lindsey@animalrescue.org.za for more information on how you can help.

The Animal Rescue Organisation staff were given a standing ovation by guests.

Comedian Alan Committie was the MC at the fund-raiser.

Animal Rescue Organisation executive director Teagan Schwerin

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