Early on a Saturday morning, Fallen Angels Pet Rescue founding member Shireen Williams was doing what she had done thousands of times before in the greater Cape Town area. She and a colleague were in their animal ambulance driving seven puppies to an adoption promotion – hoping this would be the day they found their loving and forever homes.
They were on the road early to avoid traffic. Then, in a split second, everything changed for them and the precious little lives in the back of the Fallen Angels’ rescue vehicle.
A driver ran a red light. The impact was head-on.
This is the damage one reckless driver caused in a split second. Fallen Angels’ rescue vehicle — the lifeline for countless animals — was destroyed in a head-on collision. Credit: Fallen Angels Pet Rescue
“When I saw the puppies shaking in the back, I realised how close we came to losing everything,” Shireen said. In any other vehicle, she believes they likely would have died.
Miraculously, no one was killed. The puppies were traumatised but survived. Shireen and her colleague suffered whiplash and severe bruising.
But the vehicle – the lifeline for over 1,000 animals every year – was destroyed.
Losing the vehicle is devastating for the team and a disaster for the animals. They need help to get back on the road, and we hope that animal lovers like you will provide it.
In 2019, Network for Animals supporters stepped forward in an extraordinary show of compassion and funded their first animal ambulance.
In 2023, disaster struck when an unlicensed, uninsured driver destroyed it. Insurance covered part of the cost – but YOU stepped in once again to bridge the gap and put a new vehicle back on the road.
And now, just two years later, disaster has struck again. Fallen Angels received payment from their insurance. But it is not nearly enough.
Rescue work has ground to a halt.
Without a vehicle, our partner is unable to continue with their community outreach programmes and help animals in need. Credit: NFA/Zara King
Fallen Angels covers roughly 1,000 kilometres every week for:
- Emergency rescues
- Vet runs
- Collecting and dropping off animals for sterilisation
- Taking animals to adoption days to find new, loving homes
- Collecting food for the 300 animals at the rescue centre
- Providing community outreach and support in low-income areas
Without an animal ambulance, the animals go in need.
Animals cannot access veterinary treatment and rescues can’t take place. Every day without a vehicle means animals are left suffering.
There are countless dogs waiting to be saved, but without a vehicle, their suffering continues. Credit: NFA/Byron Seale
A replacement vehicle – a Toyota Hilux Single Cab – costs $38,350 (£30,300). Insurance has paid out a portion, but it is not enough.
You helped before and the animals need you again.
When you helped fund the first vehicle in 2019, you didn’t just buy a car. You saved lives. When you stepped in after the 2023 accident, you kept rescue work going.
Please help us raise the money to put a life-saving vehicle back on the road and keep it running.
Because rescue cannot wait – and neither can the animals who need it.
