‘When the storm started, we went door to door checking on the condition of pets. We came across dogs that were tied up, dogs and cats that were trapped in the storms. They were trying to hide from the bad weather conditions, some of them unfortunately did not make it.”
Animal Welfare Society of South Africa medic Jacque le Roux was speaking after he and colleagues spent the weekend assisting animals and rescuing more than a dozen dogs, puppies and other animals during the storms.
Jaque le Roux from the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa rescues puppies suffering in the cold in Kampies, an impoverished area of Philippi, Cape Town, on 15 July 2024. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)
Crystal Fester from the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa attends to a dog suffering in the cold and wet in Kampies, an impoverished area of Philippi, Cape Town, on 15 July 2024. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)
The Animal Welfare Society of South Africa helped animals suffering in the cold in Kampies, an impoverished area of Philippi, Cape Town, on 15 July 2024. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)
The welfare agency went door to door in informal settlements around Philippi such as Jabula, Kampies, Springfield farm and Groenvlei farm to rescue animals affected by the heavy storms. A total of 15 animals were brought into the hospital by the welfare team over the weekend.
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Six members of the rescue team, divided into pairs, came across stricken dogs, puppies, cats, piglets, horses and chickens. Animals were stuck in awkward places such as under shipping containers, some tied up and unable to move out of the floodwaters.
Jaque le Roux from the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa rescues puppies in Jabula, an impoverished area of Philippi, Cape Town, on 15 July 2024. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)
Crystal Fester from the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa attends to a dog suffering in the cold and wet in Kampies, an impoverished area of Philippi, Cape Town, on 15 July 2024. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)
Le Roux said that on Saturday, they found a freezing and hungry dog eating her puppies. “She was so hungry and freezing to death and it was raining hard. She is currently at the hospital receiving treatment.”
“One of the baby piglets had to be given CPR because during the night, floods got into [a] section where livestock was kept.”
Le Roux said it was heartbreaking to rescue animals who had been left outside because the homes of owners, who also needed help, had been flooded.
The welfare team worked with community leaders to hand out blankets and food parcels to those who had been left destitute.
The Animal Welfare Society of South Africa says it needs a mobile clinic to help more animals. “Some animals … had to be admitted to hospital for drips because their bodies went through shock.”
The welfare society will keep the pets until their owners can care for them again. DM
Compiled by Siyabonga Goni.
Daily Maverick
www.dailymaverick.co.za
