Award for Reshani, an ‘influential woman’ with a soft spot for animals

Reshani Garib has a heart of gold and her compassion for animals has become her passion. Ms Garib started Animal Voices six years ago. She rescues stay and abandoned animals, gets them medical help and lovingly nurtures them until they fully recover.

Her love for animals stems back to when she was in primary school. Ms Garib, now 41, said she grew up in a humble home. Her mum was a single mother, who raised five children.

“I would bring home the strays I found in my neighbourhood. This made my mother mad at me. We barely had enough for ourselves and I would add to the struggles,” said Ms Garib.

“My mother would call the SPCA after a few days to get them proper treatment and care. I just have this undying love for animals, I must help them.”

Ms Garib was nominated for the Influential Women of the Year Award for the work she has been doing with animals and won the award on May 20. At the ceremony, she took that opportunity to raise awareness about what drives her – her love not only for animals but children as well.

“I took the stage and poured my heart out for what I am so passionate about. I wanted to motivate people to get involved. I believe we should be the change we want to see in the world. I do this every day by helping a stray, sick, neglected or abused animal and assisting them heal.

“I’m committed to working with children and educating them about caring for animals as well.”

Ms Garib took on the responsibility to be a voice for the animals she helps.

Many of them are neglected by irresponsible owners, some abused, tortured with fireworks, beaten with stones and sticks – and she urges the community to never turn a blind eye to neglect and abuse.

She often pays from her own pocket to get the animals help and has an arrangement with vets so they charge welfare rates for treatments. But when the costs are too high, she hands the pets over to Stray Paws, an animal shelter in Durban.

Ms Garib has cats homed as far as Howick and Port Elizabeth. She paid for vaccinations for three cats so they could be allowed on board a flight to their new owners in Port Elizabeth. Stray Paws shared some of the costs of the flight tickets.

“A cat owner called for assistance three years ago. Their cat was ill and the family didn’t have the funds to treat him,” she said.

“I took him to the hospital vet, he was diagnosed with cancer and they wanted to put him down. I asked that they vaccinate and treat him and allow him to live out the rest of his life. I cared for him for a while and took him back to his owners – he died two months later,” she said.

“At the moment I have two children, 11 cats and dogs and my home. All of them are my priority,” she said.

Ms Garib plans on holding talks at schools next year to educate children about caring for animals. She said by educating children they will be better pet owners and learn to show love for their pets, treating them with dignity.

For more information about Ms Garib’s work email her on: pandayreshani@gmail.com