Gallery
WILDERNESS NEWS - Uniting in the ongoing battle to help animals in need, the Garden Route SPCA and the Hoekwil Humane Society (HHS) teamed up in Touwsranten on Saturday 16 January.
A four-woman SPCA team led by head inspector, Salomé Bruyns, vaccinated a number of dogs and cats, treated injuries and offered advice to pet owners, while members of HHS spent time bathing and dipping dogs against ticks and fleas, distributed homemade leads and donated food.
Hoekwil currently has no vet and poverty, Covid-19 and distemper have taken their toll in the area.
"This community needs a helping hand," says HHS co-founder, Laurell Pelser. "I worked in the soup kitchens during lockdown and saw how hard it is to make ends meet."
With a group of fearless female friends, Pelser focused on Touwsranten's dogs and cats. At the end of last year they hosted two well-attended outreaches with the George PDSA and local cat charity, CAT Garden Route.
Garden Route SPCA animal health technician, Christa Nefdt, assisting a pet owner with his dog. Photo: Salomé Bruyns
Through these outreaches they managed to have 15 dogs and cats sterilised and re-homed and rescued 25, while vaccinating 86. They also treated various animals against mange, donated food, built kennels and undertook multiple vet visits.
"The expertise that the SPCA and the PDSA share with us is essential," says Pelser.
"We're looking forward to working with both of them much more this year. We focus on education and sterilisation as fewer animals mean less disease, hunger and neglect. The children are the most engaged with animal welfare, and we teach them how to look after their pets. This benefits the entire community."
Photo gallery: Outreach to Touwsranten
According to Pelser, HHS hopes to act as a model for other groups. "It's hard work, and a steep learning curve, but it's very rewarding, because people engage with animal welfare if the opportunity is there. You also make an immediate difference to the lives of the animals and the community. We're all in this together," she said.
Please visit their Facebook page to show your support or to get into contact with members of HHS.
Garden Route SPCA inspector, Vanessa Lucas, assisted the owner of this beautiful pit bull terrier in bathing and dipping his dog.
Hoekwil Humane Society's Laurell Pelser (left), with Garden Route SPCA head inspector Salomé Bruyns during the outreach last Saturday.
Photos: Herita MacDonald
'We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news'
