On 22 March 2017, the Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL) sent out a donation request through local media after the organisation's only mobile clinic was involved in a car accident and considered a write off. Uitenhage-based poultry producer, Sovereign Foods responded to this urgent plea with a contribution of R20 000 towards the purchasing the much needed vehicle.

“The incident occurred when our van was hit head on by a vehicle that was travelling in the wrong direction on a one-way off ramp from Standford Road to Bethelsdorp, the impact resulted in the mobile clinic becoming a total write off” said Chairman of the AACL, Glen Truscott.Truscott was relieved to announce that nobody sustained any serious injuries and the animals were safe in the back of the van.

“Our employees transported the animal’s home with their personal vehicles” he said.Without a vehicle the AACL's daily outreach operations are halted, as two field teams are normally sent out to Northern Area districts to provide health and veterinary care to animals from less advantaged communities. These districts include Timothy Valley, Kwanoxolo, New Brighton, Kwazakhele, Sewende Laan, Barcelona, Sanctor and Helenvale.

On average, three animals are transported to the AACL's Clearly Park Clinic and 9th Avenue Walmer Veterinary Clinic daily. These cases are generally for sterilisation and require an overnight stay. The Clearly Park Clinic focuses on sterilisations, vaccines, de-worms and treatments provided to animals.

The new vehicle cost will be subsidised by the insurance paid out, as well as the donations received from Sovereign Foods and other private parties. It is estimated that a further R40 000 is needed to be raised in order to purchase a new vehicle.

“We are thankful to Sovereign Foods for providing us with such a large financial contribution in a time when the country's economy is experiencing an economic crisis. With the donation, we are one step closer in restoring our outreach operations that support community accessibility to animal health care” said Truscott.Group Executive for Human Resources at Sovereign Foods, Thuto Maepa, applauded the AACL and understood the vital role the organisation has in the sustainment of animal welfare.

“As a poultry producer, we regard our bird well-being and health as a priority. All our farming operations follow strict measure that ensure our flocks are raised in the best conditions and are cared for properly” Maepa added.Maepa further mentioned: “Sovereign Foods is committed to its corporate social responsibility programme by supporting beneficiaries, such as the AACL, that provide positive initiatives to the same community we operate in.”The AACL's Nelson Mandela Bay branch has been in operation since 1983, and has 15 employees as well as a volunteer base of 54 people.

Over the past four years, the AACL has sterilised 8 858 animals and wishes to increase that number with the help of the organisation's dedicated sterilisation operating theater.

Not a stranger to sustainable development contributions, Sovereign Foods donated over R300 000 to beneficiaries within Nelson Mandela Bay last year alone. This financial year sees the company's corporate social responsibility department aiming to identify deserving education and community development programmes that require assistance.