GEORGE NEWS - She is an unwavering force to be reckoned with when it comes to animal welfare and for nearly two years now Marileen Greeff has been voluntarily feeding and treating hundreds of dogs in Borcherds.
However, to keep doing this, she needs help and donations from the community and our visitors to keep her project, Borcherds Paws, going and to enable her to help more animals.
PDSA steri vouchers
"One of the biggest challenges we face in Borcherds and other areas, are unsterilised dogs," says Greeff.
To assist Greeff in fighting the battle to sterilise dogs in Borcherds, the PDSA is offering sterilisation vouchers.
The PDSA has sponsored 10 of these vouchers and other businesses and individuals are challenged to also get involved. Each voucher costs R400 with which the PDSA will sterilise one animal.
"We challenge all businesses and individuals to get involved in this project and sponsor a couple of vouchers. One sterilisation saves the lives of thousands of unwanted dogs," said Greeff.
Proof of payment can be sent to Greeff on 066 174 3239.
Photos: Supplied
How it started
Her story started after rescuing three severely emaciated dogs from the area and witnessing another being tased by a group of youngsters in Nelson Mandela Boulevard.
"I was at Build It for some supplies I needed when I saw a skeleton of a dog walking in the road. I got my supplies and bought a packet of biscuits to give the poor animal, but when I walked to give the dog the biscuits, a bunch of schoolboys got to the dog before I could and tased it. There and then I decided that something has to be done about these dogs who mainly roam the streets in search of food," she said.
Greeff says Odin immediately jumped in to assist without hesitation and help with medical care, vets and advice.
The Garden Route SPCA (GRSPCA) has also been assisting with sterilisations and from the PDSA she received help with neutering male dogs, deworming, anti-tick and flea treatments, as well as helping puppies with parvo virus.
At this stage, I feed around 400 dogs three times a week. On top of that, I have my own dogs, dogs in foster care and dogs that need medication.
"I go to feed every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The people know me by now and call me the dog lady. But I don't only feed. I deworm, I treat sick and injured animals, I give medical care where I can and if it's too severe I take it to the vet. I assist with sterilisations where I can, but the battle is never over," she says.
Visit Greeff's Back a Buddy page: backabuddy.co.za/marileen-greeff
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