14/10/2026
Good day everyone.
If you have the moment and are in search of doing a bit of good, please read below and get in contact with Amanda's Ark or with us directly if you'd like. This is something we deal with everyday, but it's hard to help everybody, so we're sharing this if this is something you care for and would like to get involved with. Thanks in advance for caring for the one so many neglect.
Regards
Kochgrow Team.
Dear Daniel,
‼️ A CRISIS OF EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS
There is a crisis of EPIDEMIC proportions taking place in South Africa when it comes to the animals.
They are being neglected and abandoned at a rate that no-one can keep up with and the support of all animal lovers is needed.
We have stepped in to help and have changed the lives of every precious soul we have rescued and re-homed, but we cannot do it alone.
🕊️ Introducing Amanda’s Ark
I just wanted to take a moment to introduce Amanda’s Ark with a view to educating, motivating and inspiring people to get involved.
We are a Lighthouse and Beacon of Hope in the Cederberg mountains, helping all who cross our path, but the need is overwhelming and so too is the lack of support.
Most of the animals live in my home, no cages or kennels, and we are doing everything in our power to stay afloat, but we need to raise awareness in the hope that other people will step in to assist.
⛯ Fulfilling A Role That No-One Else Can
All rescues are struggling, except perhaps the big ones, but they are corporate machines with big teams, big salaries and an even bigger euthanasia rate in excess of 80%.
Small independents like myself are leagues apart, taking rescue back to its roots and fulfilling a role that no-one else can, and we need and deserve to be supported.
Quitting is not an option and we have to keep fighting the good fight as we are making a profound difference to every life we touch, but an army of angels is needed.
🆘 We Need Your Help!
Donor support is less than 10% in regular monthly contributions, the struggle is real and we need your help.
Amanda’s Ark costs over R100,000 (£4,500 / €5,400 / $6,000) per month to run excluding big Vet bills and the deficit is enormous.
In order to be sustainable, we need:
😇 100 people @ R1,000 (£44 / €50 / $60) per month;
😇 200 @ R500 (£22 / €25 / $30) per month;
😇 any amount that people feel compelled to give on a regular basis.
🏥 Total Sterilisations: 20
This year so far we’ve completed 20 sterilisations: Stacey, Skylar, Bella & Bella’s pups Henry Bruno & Halo, Leo, Junior, Wh**ky, Mama Dear, Punka, Blackie, Hazel, Shady, Brock, Bonzo, Spike, Rocco, Casey & Mojo (cat).
🛟 Total Rescues: 51
We have rescued 51 dogs: Roxy now Molly, Stacey, Brownie, Bella & her 5 pups, Skylar, Lexy & her 7 pups, Lexi, Bentley, Makarina and Jackie & their 14 pups, Isabella & her 5 pups with the help of a rescue partner in KZN, Indy, Shady, Milo now Molly, Staffie girl and Casey & her 4 pups.
🏡 Total Foster & Forever Homes: 36
We have re-homed 36 dogs, to either Foster or Forever homes: Lexi, Bentley, Jenny, Roxy now Molly, Dolly, Kelly, Lady, Makarina & Jackie & their 13 pups, Isabella & her 4 pups, Indy, Shady, Milo now Molly, Staffie girl and Casey & her 4 pups.
👩⚕️ Total Vet Care: R156,984
The total spent on Vet care this year alone is R156,984, which is an average of over R15,000 per month.
Vet care is a very big expense that is unavoidable and support is very minimal.
There seems to be a general apathy when it comes to animal rescue and the lack of support is as overwhelming as the need.
🐕 Total Boarding Costs: R251,190
The total spent on Boarding this year alone is over R250,000 because not all dogs can be housed onboard Amanda’s Ark due to limits on numbers and noise levels.
This is a MASSIVE expense every month, averaging over R25,000 per month and it's unsustainable.
Ultimately, all dogs in boarding need to be in the right home, but the dogs we are left with are the hardest to re-home and it’s taking time.
🐾 Total Staff Costs: R325,907
Staff is another big expense as we need 4 full-time members of staff and 24/7 cover because we are in a remote location and anything can happen at any time.
Also, we provide round the clock hospital and hospice care and a minimum of 2 members of staff has to be on duty at all times, although we have increased our staff since the beginning of the year and the current monthly amount is much higher.
Average staff costs based on the above are around R36,000 per month and is a necessary part of keeping everyone and everything safe, clean and well cared for.
🔐 Closed To New Intakes, Open To Outreach
It’s very hard, the demand is enormous, we are constantly overwhelmed and have had to close our doors to new intakes as we are spreading ourselves too thin and need to focus on those we have.
However, there are always dogs that cross our path that need help and we have to say YES, because saying no results in continued suffering or death so we have to find a way.
We’ve decided to tackle this need through an Outreach initiative, whereby we can only uplift if someone or a collection of people Sponsor the Vet care and also offer a Foster or Forever home if needed, and this approach has been working well.
🕊️ Changing The Face of Rescue
Registering as an NPO / NPC is on my list but it’s a process that will take time and I need to find a window to dedicate to it, which is a constant battle, but I will get to it.
Once I’ve stabilised Amanda’s Ark, I have a big vision to take care of every animal in the local township, with no animal left behind, changing the face of Rescue, Animal Welfare & Outreach support.
This will consist of mass sterilisation, a weekly mobile health clinic and food bank, community involvement, education, training an army of independent Rescue & Re-Homing Consultants and a network of foster homes.
💓 The Names, Faces & Stories of Every Life We’ve Touched
Please follow me on Facebook if you use this platform if you aren’t already as the majority of my updates are on there, alternatively, I’ll send you a message here and there to keep you updated.
https://www.facebook.com/AmandasArkSanctuary
I’m also working on creating a catalogue with the details of every life we’ve touched this year and in total, to share names, faces and stories.
😇 Become An Ark Angel
If you would like to support us on a regular monthly basis, helping us to continue to be the Lighthouse and Beacon of Hope that we are, please click the link below.👇
https://backabuddy.co.za/campaign/amandas-ark-animal-rescue
If you would like to make a one-off donation, please click the link below.👇
https://backabuddy.co.za/campaign/amandas-ark-vet-bills
All contributions are welcomed and appreciated, thank you.
🙏 Thank You In Hope For Your Support
Thank you in hope for your support.
If you have any ideas of how we can build our support base or if you know anyone who may be interested in Fostering or Adopting a dog or a cat, please reach out, the animals need us URGENTLY and NOW.
Warmest wishes,
Amanda Lighthouse ⛯
Chief Servant & Rescue Angel 😇
Amanda’s Ark 🕊️
+28 084 287 5050
