GEORGE NEWS - Since 21 October, the Garden Route SPCA has been working almost non-stop to assist in the areas affected by fires.
From Heidelberg to beyond Plettenberg Bay they have painstakingly searched burning and burned areas for animals in need and have taken in huge numbers of animals including dogs, cats, sheep, pigs, chickens, cattle and even a peacock.
Management looked forward and ordered in a large number of collapsible, metal cages last week. These were to prove invaluable…
The week of 29 October to 5 November was most challenging and the staff literally worked all day and then the nights, in shifts.
From helping Knysna Animal Welfare (KAWS) by taking in their animals so they had space for evacuated animals; to actively entering some of the very dangerous hot-spots like Golden Valley Blanco and the Jonkersberg Plantations searching for animals left behind after people were evacuated.
Then the searching of burned areas to look for injured and stranded animals was the next priority. A shocking and heart-breaking find was made by Field Officer Vanessa Lucas at the razed house near Karatara where six family members had died. Unfortunately they had been unable to unchain their Labrador X dog before the fire engulfed them and his body was found still attached to the chain outside the house.
SPCA Inspector Henrico Pypers, during a full day in the field last week, noticed a herd of sheep battling in an area full of thick smoke. He immediately got hold of the farmer and got the herd to safety and cleaner air. Members of the NSPCA arrived on the scene at this stage and took photos of the site.
They also photographed the scene where Pypers had finished helping a large number of ostriches that were threatened by fire.
Senior SPCA Inspector Salomé Bruyns was with NSPCA staff when burned Duikers were found and humanely euthanased.
Having to put animals out of their misery is extremely hard for the Inspectors who all love animals passionately. They are grateful to the NSPCA for “lending” them Inspector André Baartman on and off during the most hectic times and the 3 other staff members who each helped for 2 days last week.
“Our advantage was definitely the fact that we are used to all of the affected areas and are aware of where the houses and animals are to be found in those areas,” stated Bruyns. “We know and knew where to go and are very grateful for being kept in the loop the whole time by Disaster Management’s broadcasts via WhatsApp,” she added.
Out in the field the Inspectors came across a variety of wild animals. Some had survived the fires but now have no grazing. Tortoises, rodents and other small creatures who managed to hide and survive now have nothing to eat. Baboons are very evident on the outskirts of residential areas as there is no food for them to eat in the wild.
One male Baboon has burned hands but cannot be caught and treated. Accounts of sightings of different buck have come in to the SPCA as well. Nature Conservation appealed to the public asking that they not feed the wild animals. Their reason is that the animals must migrate naturally to areas where there is still vegetation. It is questionable if any such vegetation exists for kilometres in almost every direction…
Probably the biggest event of last week was the evacuation of animals in the Jonkersberg MTO Plantation on Saturday 3 November. A committee member was sent, with an Animal Carer, to assess the situation there.
It was found to be dire and she called in as many available staff members and volunteers as possible. She managed to get 6 dogs, a pig and a calf from the highest plantations workers’ homes which the blazing fire line reached within minutes of their removal. A kindly, local farmer assisted them by helping to catch and transport the pig and calf to the SPCA premises. Inspectors and volunteers were on the scene within 15 minutes and a large number of stranded pets and farm animals were found, loaded and taken to the SPCA.
Back at the SPCA a group of amazing, young volunteers got stuck in setting up the collapsible cages each lined with soft blankets and with a bowl of food and a full water bowl. They helped wash and hang up blankets, load bakkies with boxes to fetch animals, unload the bakkies and so much more. Their cheerful banter uplifted the mood which was otherwise sombre. Other volunteers brought donations of animal food and even the staff received food – thank you MacDonald’s for the 30 Big Macs, chips and drinks on Saturday.
Three temporary shelters housing approximately 62 collapsible cages were made in the Education Centre, the garage and along the walls of one of the kennel blocks. The Education Centre had been due to open on 30 October but was postponed. Hundreds of blankets had to be used under, in and over the cages so the bright, colourful blankets that Dotsure had donated from their Polar Challenge brightened up the cages.
Generous donations of animal food have been brought in and the community really showed what they were made of when, after an appeal to drop of animal food in less than 3 hours, a huge mound of food was dropped off by members of the “Georgiete Staan Saam” Facebook page. Huge amounts of dog and cat food are currently being used and distributed so it is hoped the donations will continue coming in. The SPCA has been assisting KAWS with food as they are also under pressure.
Even after the fires are out the SPCA will still have to work at full capacity to look after the many animals in their care and the many more that will depend on them in the months ahead. They will have to find R80 000 to pay for the cages they ordered and it is hoped that kind supporters will help with donations to cover this huge, unforeseen expense. Luckily the cages will be there for the next emergency situation.
Other necessary items needed include: blankets, old towels, dog leads, cat and dog collars, cat litter, feeding and water bowls, lucerne bales, chicken food, fruit and vegetables in large quantities for the pigs.
One of the biggest expenses has been the fuel needed for the many SPCA vehicles that have been on the go, over large areas almost non-stop. Fuel vouchers or donations would be welcomed. The public have asked the SPCA staff if the Municipality will contribute to the extreme expenses incurred by the SPCA as the area has been declared a disaster zone. It is unclear at the time of writing whether this is possible.
Donations may be made to: Garden Route SPCA, Standard Bank, George branch code 051001, Account number 0608 232 16. Please use “fires” and your name as the reference.
George and surrounds, the SPCA thanks all of their supporters, volunteers and donors sincerely for their love and support. The businesses that have helped with services and donations are also thanked. There are too many to mention by name. Please see our Facebook page for the names of some of these guardian angels. The management committee is acknowledged for their active involvement.
Article: Wendy Jones GR SPCA volunteer
Read a related article | Herold Fires: SPCA needs your help
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