Teamwork saves dog from torturous death

GEORGE NEWS - She was found while children from Maraiskamp where pelting her with stones and laughing at her. "She just sat there while the children were throwing stones at her. As if she gave up on life," said Coriza Vermeulen from Cat Assistance Team (Cat) Garden Route after she found and saved the dog now called Jasmine.

Vermeulen was in Maraiskamp, an area not unfamiliar to her, while tending to some cats when she came across the awful scene on Sunday 16 May.

But some stories really do have a happy ending. Without hesitation Vermeulen, while having stones thrown at her too, saved the mangy and emaciated dog from a certain torturous death.

That day Jasmine's horrible life turned into heaven on earth. Vermeulen took her to the PDSA in Conville where Dr Shirley Searle vaccinated and treated her for the severe mange, malnutrition and neglect. Learners of the York High Animal Club (YHAC) also assisted and gave Jasmyn a well deserved bath.

"Two of our learners gave her a bath and I brought her home shortly afterwards to recover. Now she's not leaving," said the animal club's Hayley Kayser.

However, Jasmine's recovery process was a long and grueling one.

"She basically slept for most of the first two weeks and only ate chicken and rice. Once a week I had to bath her with medicated shampoo to get rid of the severe mange. Not only did she have stones thrown at her, but apparently she was also burnt. She's still very frightened, but we're getting there. She's part of the family now," says Kayser.

Jasmine, the face of a happy ending.

Working together for animal welfare

The PDSA assists YHAC by only charging welfare rates for animals that need medical care and also offer advice. "We will also be attending a basic animal health course at the PDSA in the third term," said Kayser.

CAT Garden Route assists YHAC with sterilisations and any other cat-related issues and the Garden Route SPCA (GRSPCA) has also jumped in to assist with further sterilisations of cats and dogs. "We also work with a fantastic woman from Farm Cats and Dogs, Stefanie Sales. She has a long relationship with Caws for Paws from Great Brak River, and so we all help each other," said Kayser.

*Using food and other donations, YHAC does regular outreaches to rural areas around George. During the school holiday they would like to do an outreach to Hoogekraal, but they need food (dog and cat), collars, deworming pills, pills against scabies and so much more.

Any businesses and residents who would like to assist with donations or ways to help, are asked to contact Kayser (YHAC) on 072 204 9788 or Vermeulen (Cat Garden Route) on 082 694 5075.

Jasmine is now living in the lap of luxury with her new human mom, Haley Kayser.,