The Cactus Foundation

is an African based,
direct action organisation
for the protection and welfare
of animals and children on the continent

Thanks to warriors like you, we fight to give a voice to those most vulnerable in our communities, bringing hope, help, care and kindness to all in need.

“As we look into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others” Bill Gates

WELFARE AND HEALTHCARE INTO COMMUNITIES

We run welfare clinics into lower income areas to facilitate the sterilization and vaccination of pets, working animals and strays, and to assist the community with animal to human transmittable diseases. Utilizing the services of community-based nurses and educators we fight for everyone’s right to have access to healthcare for both themselves and their pets.

“I have seen firsthand how injustice gets overlooked when the victims are powerless or vulnerable, when they have no one to speak up for them and no means of representing themselves to a higher authority. Unless we are mindful of their interests and speak out loudly on their behalf, abuse and cruelty go unchallenged.” Desmond Tutu

KEEP YOUNG GIRLS IN SCHOOL
SANITARY AND FEMALE HYGIENE CAMPAIGN

Transformation and upliftment on our continent is inextricably linked to the education of all children. Young girls are often marginalised and retention of young girls in schools is often affected by inadequate menstration, feminine hygiene and reproductive healthcare management. The Cactus Foundation is committed to developing sustainable production and distribution of sanitary products for young girls, together with education programmes into schools aiming to improve young girls attendance and educational development.

"Investing in girls' education is the very best thing we can do, not just for our daughters and granddaughters, but for their families, their communities, and their countries." Michelle Obama

THE LINK BETWEEN ANIMAL ABUSE
AND HUMAN VIOLENCE

We facilitate a dedicated children and animal anti-cruelty unit, focused on thoroughly investigating all cases, remediating through education on the smaller matters, and pushing cases right through the legal system in serious or deliberate cases of neglect, abuse and cruelty. We are equipped to confiscate, and home abused or neglected animals, and through our strategic childcare partners to provide the necessary support and protection to those children in need.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela

CHILDREN AND ANIMAL ADVOCACY

Working hand-in-hand with local authorities, we aim to be a voice for all vulnerable children and animals, and to actively participate in the development of legislation for their welfare and protection.

“All advocacy is, at its core, an exercise in empathy.” Samantha Powers

RABIES AND ANIMAL-TO-HUMAN TRANSMITTABLE DISEASES

Many preventable diseases are transmitted between animals and humans, with some, such as rabies being fatal to both parties. Rabies is a particularly large and insidious problem on the continent with statistics reported by International Health recording deaths on our continent at a rate of one every 20 minutes. Of these, almost half of the deaths occur in children under the age of 15 years. Prevention is the best way to beat this disease. Vaccination of animals and people protects communities and community workers and with concerted efforts can be eradicated.

"Whether our task is fighting poverty or stemming the spread of disease, we have seen that we cannot succeed without the leadership of the strong and the engagement of all." Kofi Annan

DOG FIGHTING

Dog fighting is one of the most horrific forms of organized animal cruelty, not only in the immediate term for the animals that have to endure the violent fights, but the long term effects of trauma they suffer throughout their lives. Dogs forced to fight suffer terrible injuries, both from the fights themselves and through the barbaric fight ‘training’ that their handlers will put them through . Most will ultimately be killed in the ring or die soon after from their injuries. Those who can no longer fight are often brutally killed. Dogs aren’t the only animals who suffer in fighting rings; this inhumane “entertainment” also affects roosters used for cockfighting. Pitting animals against each other in a fight to the death for spectators often goes hand-in-hand with gambling, drug dealing, illegal gun sales, modern day slavery, money laundering and prostitution. We work together with the public, rescue centers, vets, law enforcement and politicians to raise awareness, to help communities tackle it and of course to support the animals that have been rescued from this living hell.

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mahatma Gandhi

EDUCATION PROGRAMMES

We run education programs into schools with a focus on children’s and animal’s rights, healthcare issues, understanding what abuse and cruelty is and what to do when it happens. Science has confirmed beyond question the link between cruelty to animals and violence toward humans. It is essential that we fight hard to shine light on this issue and to ensure that all children learn their right to being treated with dignity and compassion and are able to then act with dignity and compassion towards all living beings.

“Safety and security don’t just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear.” Nelson Mandela

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Aristotle

HUMAN WILDLIFE CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGIES

Our continent is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and diverse wildlife. Wildlife conservation contributes enormously to developing nations economies through tourism and job creation. With ever expanding populations and human encroachment on historically remote and wild areas, human-wildlife conflict is presenting itself as a growing and concerning challenge. The Cactus Foundation is excited to be involved in various initiatives aimed at enhancing the harmonious co-existence of people and wildlife through education and the alignment of objectives for all stakeholders.

"Those who protect and save other animals lead the way in protecting and saving humanity and earth." Anthony Douglas Williams

PUPPY MILLS AND UNETHICAL BREEDING PRACTICES

The puppy mill industry keeps dogs captive in cruel, cramped and often unsanitary conditions for the purposes of mass breeding and selling of puppies. The emphasis is on profits over the welfare of the dogs. The animals often lack good food, clean water, and veterinary care. As a result of the breeding practices of puppy mills, it is common for dogs to suffer from genetic and hereditary conditions, and deadly diseases. Additionally, many puppy mill dogs experience behavioral and psychological problems throughout their lives from a lack of early socialization and being weaned too young. People who buy puppy mill puppies often suffer the trauma together with their families and children of animals who die prematurely, are expensive to treat medically or have behavioral problems leading to euthanasia or abandonment. We aim end the cruel treatment of dogs in mass breeding operations through proper legislation and regulation.

“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” Albert Einstein

CACTUS FOUNDATION CENTRE

With thousands of animals we encounter desperate for a loving forever home but first needing evaluation, medical care and tons of love, we are actively fundraising for our first Cactus Foundation Centres in Johannesburg, South Africa and Lusaka, Zambia where we would be able to bring together our operations into a single space.

VETERINARY CARE

The centre will have a 24 hour veterinary care facility which will service all members of the community with healthcare for their pets, as well as take in and provide medical care for strays, injured and sick animals and those needing vaccinations, sterilizations and assistance with transmutable diseases.

OVER-NIGHT AND CRITICAL CARE FACILITIES

Our overnight and critical care facilities will cater for those animals with illnesses and traumas, with round the clock care and specialist medical attention requirements.

SHELTER AND ADOPTION CENTRE

The shelter will offer compassionate refuge to homeless, abandoned, neglected and abused animals. Here, animals will be evaluated, vaccinated, sterilized and rehabilitated. When the are ready, they will move to our adoption centre where the public are encouraged to come to adopt their forever pet!

CACTUS EDUCATION CENTRE

Our education centre will be a multipurpose facility that will run multiple programs year round

Specialist veterinary lectures featuring international guests
Schools education & outing programs
New adopters orientation
Dog training classes with behavioural specialists

DOG OBEDIENCE TRAINING AND AGILITY

Obedience and agility training will be run every weekend for all levels of dog and owner! We encourage all adptors to attend at least the first few levels of obedience training to ensure a long term and happy relationship and understanding between you and your new best friend.

RETIREMENT SANCTUARY

For our older friends who are not suitable for re-homing we will offer a peaceful retirement sanctuary where they can live out their final days with love and care. Many working animals are discarded after a lifetime of service, and deserve a place.