The Cactus Animal Shelter & Children’s Education Centre
The horrors little Phoebe went through are hard to explain – subsequent X-rays revealed fractures all over her body - from her head to her tail. She was hung in a tree by her jaw, tethered, stoned, and beaten. In their final act, the children doused Phoebe in methylated spirits and set her on fire.
A local lady, alerted by Phoebe’s screams, intervened and rushed Phoebe to the local vet. She was treated and stabilised before being flown to South Africa for further critical surgeries.
Phoebe’s story spread far and wide. She squealed with delight at all her visitors, even though she was unable to move due to her injuries. As the horror of her abuse dissipated with her recovery, it was replaced by the horror of what it took to have three young children perpetrate such horrific violence on a sentient being.
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Our animal welfare shelter in Lusaka was born following the brutal torture and near killing of a young puppy called Phoebe at the hands of three children, on the instructions of their father. He believed the puppy had placed a curse on the newborn in the family, and so he instructed his three children, aged 6, 8, and 12, to torture the puppy for days.
This was the birth of the Cactus Animal Shelter & Children’s Education Centre in Zambia – a rescue and rehoming sanctuary for companion animals, and a place for children to interact with and learn about the sentience of animals and their value in our lives. This project serves as a key example of empathy in action, promoting both animal welfare and emotional intelligence.
Rescuing Lives, Inspiring Compassion: Animal Welfare & Education at Cactus Animal Shelter
Phoebe’s story is just one example of the heartbreaking cruelty many animals face. Your donation helps us continue our work at the Cactus Animal Shelter & Children’s Education Centre, where we rescue and rehabilitate animals while teaching children the value of empathy and compassion. Together, we can create a better world for all living beings.
