- Fallen Angels Pet Rescue, an animal sanctuary in Melkbosstrand, faces relocation after a zoning decision by the City of Cape Town.
- The rescue was denied a Special Consent Use Permit due to its location near the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station.
- The organisation is calling on the community for support to overcome the logistical and financial challenges of relocating over 300 animals.
After over a decade of dedication to rescuing and caring for abandoned animals, Fallen Angels Pet Rescue in Melkbosstrand faces an uncertain future.
Co-founders Gayl Basson, Shireen Williams and the late Lilian Williams, have tirelessly provided a safe haven for hundreds of animals in Melkbosstrand, creating a sanctuary for those in need. Not only do they care for these animals locally, but they reach out to other areas in Table View and Milnerton when animals are in need.
However, a recent zoning decision by the City of Cape Town has left the organisation facing the daunting task of relocating its beloved animal care centre. Founded on a dream to offer animals a permanent refuge, Fallen Angels Pet Rescue has weathered countless challenges since its inception. The team overcame early struggles with inadequate resources, operating without water, electricity, and proper shelter. Despite the hardships, the founders remained steadfast in their mission, transforming the land into a secure and loving environment for the animals they care for. Yet on 1 November, after investing over two and a half years and nearly R250 000 in compliance efforts, the organisation received word from the City of Cape Town that their application for a Special Consent Use Permit had been denied. The property’s proximity to the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, within a regulated 5km zone, makes the rescue centre ineligible for its intended use. The City’s decision has left Fallen Angels Pet Rescue with no option but to vacate its current location.
“This has been devastating news for all of us,” says co-founder Gayl Basson. “We’ve poured our hearts, our blood, sweat, and tears into making this a safe haven. Moving will be incredibly challenging, but we cannot give up on these animals who have already been through so much.”
Statement from City
The City told TygerBurger the land use enforcement process is a different process from the land use application process. “The former aims to achieve compliance with the zoning of the property and related development parameters, while the latter relates to the processing of a land use application.
“The outcome of land use applications are not pre-determined. All applications are evaluated on their own merits, having regard to the decision making criteria in Section 99 of the Municipal Planning By-Law,” says Eddie Andrews, the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment.
Andrews says the application, in this case, was duly assessed and refused.
“The land use application process has not yet concluded and the applicant was informed of their right to appeal. Should the applicant decide to appeal, the Appeal Authority will consider the application and grounds for appeal in making its decision,” he says.
In a statement shared with TygerBurger from Fallen Angels, the City of Cape Town stated their reasons for denying their application for the Special Consent Use Permit:
The authorised official on October 31, 2024 refused in terms of section 98 of the City of Cape Town Municipal Planning By-Law, 2015 (MPBL), the application for:
- Consent use to permit an animal care centre for rescued animals to operate from a portion of the subject property and
- City approval to permit the proposed animal care centre within the Precautionary Action Zone (area within a 5 km radius of the Koeberg nuclear reactors)
- Reasons for the above decision are as follows:
- 1) The proposal does not align with a pertinent guideline contained in the Municipal Spatial Development Framework (MSDF).
- The subject property is located within the Precautionary Action Zone (area within a 5 km radius of the Koeberg nuclear reactors), where the MSDF indicates that no new development is permissible other than development that is directly related to the siting, construction, operation and decommissioning of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station (KNPS) or that constitutes exercising existing zoning rights.
Basson was informed by the City of Cape Town that they can appeal, however the chances of them being granted the Special Consent Use Permit is around 5% and will cost them a further R15 000.
Help needed
Now, Fallen Angels Pet Rescue urgently calls upon its supporters and the broader community to rally behind them. The organisation faces enormous costs and logistical challenges associated with dismantling and relocating the farm infrastructure, as well as safely transporting over 300 animals to a new sanctuary.
How you can help Fallen Angels Pet Rescue in this crisis:
- Donate to the Fallen Angels Rescue relocation fund.
- Volunteer to assist with demolition and rebuilding efforts.
- Offer transportation services for the animals’ safe transfer.
- Adopt or foster to help ease the transition for senior and other vulnerable animals.
- Share the organisation’s story to raise awareness and support.
- Contribute your skills – any assistance or ideas are welcomed.
With the holiday season approaching, Fallen Angels Pet Rescue urges individuals to consider making a difference by supporting this essential relocation effort.
Donations of any amount can help the organisation rebuild and continue its mission to protect and care for animals in need. Fallen Angels is committed to ensuring that every animal remains safe and well-cared-for, regardless of the obstacles ahead.
For more information, email: info@fallenangels.org.za, call 084 688 7111 or visit www.fallenangels.org.za
