For more than two decades, TEARS has transformed the lives of thousands of animals and the communities that care for them. What began as a response to heartbreaking conditions in Masiphumelele has grown into one of the Western Cape’s leading animal welfare organisations.
A dream born from heartbreak
In the late 1990s, Marilyn Hoole, Joan Bown and Emma Geary-Cooke were providing basic healthcare to animals in Masiphumelele.
“Venturing into Masiphumelele in 1998 and seeing the terrible suffering of the animals was unimaginably shocking,” recalls Marilyn Hoole, Director and Co-Founder of TEARS. “Many were skeletal, just like their owners, who had relocated from the Eastern Cape and were living in shacks in abject poverty.”
She says poverty and a lack of knowledge were at the heart of the crisis.
“The main cause of the distress was poverty and ignorance. Something had to be done, and we made it our mission to dedicate our lives to making a difference.”
Before that vision became reality, tragedy struck when Emma Geary-Cooke was killed in a car accident. Determined to honour her dream, Marilyn and Joan founded The Emma Animal Rescue Society (TEARS) in 1999.
Building an organisation from the ground up
Launching TEARS presented enormous logistical challenges.
“To enable us to help the residents and animals there, we needed funding for sterilisations, primary healthcare and food,” says Marilyn. “We also needed an office and premises where we could house the many unwanted dogs and cats.”
Operations were spread across several locations, with veterinary services in Bergvliet, an office in Muizenberg and rented kennels in Ottery.
The team quickly identified sterilisation as the most effective way to reduce the growing number of unwanted animals.
“In March 1999, we started a Sunday clinic in Masiphumelele,” Marilyn explains. “We offered basic services such as vaccinating, deworming, dipping, treating animals for fleas, ticks and lice, and we handed out food parcels. Animals requiring veterinary attention or sterilisation were taken to our vet in Bergvliet.”
Animals were temporarily housed at one of the co-founders’ homes in Muizenberg, which became TEARS’ first headquarters.
“Volunteers were coming and going, children were doing community service, people were dropping off donations, and stray animals were being delivered,” Marilyn says. “We were extremely blessed. Our community realised we were doing vital work helping impoverished communities with their animals and supported us wholeheartedly.”
In 2001, TEARS secured permanent premises in Sunnydale before officially moving onto the property in April 2002.
“From there, we never looked back,” Marilyn says. “TEARS Animal Rescue enjoyed exponential growth.”
Transforming communities
The organisation’s work has had a lasting impact in communities including Masiphumelele and Ocean View.
“At first,” says Tinka Shapiro, Head of Fundraising and Marketing at TEARS, “sterilisation was unheard of in those areas. Vaccinations were rare, and veterinary care felt unattainable. Now people stop staff in the street to ask about appointments, microchips and follow-ups. Compassion has roots there now.”
She describes the organisation’s veterinary clinic and mobile services as “life-changing”.
“For many families, the mobile clinic is the only form of veterinary care they will ever have access to, and that access saves lives.”
A pro-life philosophy
TEARS describes itself as a pro-life organisation, a philosophy centred on giving every animal the greatest possible opportunity for a healthy life.
“What that means is we do everything in our power to give every animal a chance,” says Shapiro.
“Being pro-life is not about keeping animals alive at all costs. It’s about respecting them and ensuring their welfare and dignity. Euthanasia is never a convenience; it is only considered in cases of untreatable suffering.”
The unseen costs of rescue
Behind every successful adoption or rehabilitation is a significant financial commitment.
“There are a lot of costs involved in rescuing, treating, rehabilitating and rehoming animals that are not ‘sexy’,” says Shapiro.
“There’s rent, rates, wages, petrol, uniforms, security systems, infrastructure maintenance… the list goes on.”
Funding remains one of the organisation’s greatest challenges.
“There is so much to do, and never enough funds to get it all done. We are limited by our financial resources.”
Staff safety also remains a concern, particularly for mobile veterinary teams operating in high-crime communities.
“Not even parking near a police station protects our team,” she says.
Looking to the future
TEARS is developing a new education programme aimed at primary schools, high schools and young adults to encourage responsible pet ownership, humane treatment of animals and stronger human-animal relationships.
The organisation is also working alongside other welfare groups to promote best-practice veterinary care, improve shelter standards and strengthen community engagement.
When asked how she hopes TEARS will be remembered, Marilyn’s answer is simple.
“As a caring pro-life organisation always going the extra mile to provide the best services for needy animals, leading the way for other organisations.”
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