When Hot Cares put out the call for Christmas nominations, one name kept coming up again and again – the Linmeyer Community Animal Rescue Association, better known as LCARA. Listeners spoke about a tiny rescue doing enormous work, stepping into dangerous areas to collect injured, sick and neglected animals, and bringing hope to families who simply cannot afford vet care.
LCARA’s small team of volunteers transports animals to and from the vet, educates families about animal welfare and provides free sterilisation services to impoverished communities. On average, they assist over 300 animals every month and, in 2025 alone, have already sterilised 1 078 cats and dogs – thanks to partners like “From Tassie With Love” in Tasmania, Dr Asheena Surajpal from Orion Vet and Dr Caren Rademeyer from Big & Small CVC.
But their impact has a limit: transport. Without a proper trailer, LCARA must make multiple trips into high-risk areas, often moving just one or two animals at a time. Every delay can mean the difference between relief and prolonged suffering. An 8-berth dog trailer, costing R82 000, would change everything – turning slow, difficult trips into swift, life-saving action, while also improving the safety of the volunteers themselves.
