GEORGE NEWS - On Saturday 15 November, the Garden Route SPCA, in conjunction with Ward 4 committee member Nikki Vakis, several residents and the Wilderness Ratepayers Association (WRRA), sterilised 30 dogs in the Wilderness Heights informal settlement.
Vakis, who lives in Wilderness Heights and champions the project, said most of the dogs are now in reasonably good condition.
However, this was not always the case. When she and her husband, Costa, first began engaging with the settlement's residents about the condition of their dogs, many animals were in poor shape. The couple became involved in the animals' welfare when they realised many families were unable to provide adequate care for them.
Costa, now a familiar face in the informal settlement, works closely with resident Collin Wildeman to ensure that the animals are fed and monitored. Together they distribute 120kg of dog food every month and provide medicine sponsored by the Vakises and other residents.
A major concern remains the rapid increase in the dog population. Nikki believes addressing the problem through sterilisation would bring lasting improvement. Many dogs roam freely and reproduce, which escalates the situation.
Costa Vakis with one of the dogs from Wilderness Heights. Photo: Nikki Vakis
Initially, the Vakises funded several sterilisations, but soon realised this approach was not sustainable. When Wilderness Cllr Marlene Barnardt mentioned that funding could be allocated, they requested support. The council contribution covered the sterilisation of nine dogs, and additional donations from Wilderness Heights residents, along with a generous contribution from the WRRA, made it possible to reach a total of 30 dogs.
According to Nikki, the informal settlements residents were willing to bring their dogs for sterilisation once they heard the service would be free of charge. She thanked them for their co-operation and said the project will continue next year if enough funds can be raised.
Nikki expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed to the initiative's success and encouraged continued support for the welfare of the animals in Wilderness Heights.
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