GEORGE NEWS - They started their journey with the Garden Route SPCA (GRSPCA) on the same day in 2003. Since then there was no looking back for long-time inspectors Salomé Bruyns and Henrico Pypers.

Bruyns and Pypers started as cadet inspectors on 3 March and worked as kennel workers for the first year to gain experience with the animals. After that year they were appointed as trainee inspectors and had to pass a theoretical and practical exam to qualify as inspectors.

Bruyns went on to complete her senior inspector qualification in 2008 when they only had one inspector. The need for inspectors has however increased significantly due to the influx of new residents and the growth of George.

The love and passion they share for animals makes every day special at the SPCA.

"One of my favourite experiences at the GRSPCA would be taking a boy called Reggie out on his birthdays. I met Reggie at my pit bull club years ago and I've taken him out for his birthday ever since. This year he turns 18 and asked me for a bicycle. I'm not sure how I'll manage it, but I'll try my best to make his wish come true," Bruyns giggled.

For Pypers every day working at the SPCA is special. 

"There are so many things that happen in a day, but I do everything with passion - even the smallest thing, such as removing a kitten from a tree, or rescuing puppies from a drain or a bovine in a manhole. It's all in a day's work," he said.

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