Managers Update
With Autumn upon us and the first quarter of the year behind us, what a busy time it has been. We have been hard at work driving access to veterinary care on the widest possible scale. In the understanding that our reduced SAID Hero team are unable to service as many animals in our own facility, we collaborated with other organisations to achieve our ongoing mission.
Between January and March we changed the lives of some 700 animals that were sterilised in areas such as Johannesburg, Boksburg, Potchefstroom, the Vaal area and here at home, in our facility. These animals were just the cream, cherry and chocolate sprinkles on the top of a wonderful opportunity – The organisations we collaborated with, were given the chance to reduce their veterinary costs, thereby extending the value of the donor rand to even more animals. Talk about a win, win situation in a time of great need.
The stories below outline in more detail our emergency sterilisation outreach adventures, and the amazing story of a very sick dog and a loving owner who could not let her give up.
Hunting for a Miracle
The care of sick animals is what our SAID Heroes provide every day. Their dedication to ensuring the return of these animals to their home is unquestionable, no matter the lengths to be taken to do so.
Hunter, a very sick and emaciated dog was brought into our hospital for care. After tests, Hunter was diagnosed with acute kidney failure and her prognosis was extremely bad. In cases such as this, due to the extent of the suffering, it is time for us to consider the option of euthanise. While the professionals debated this sad outcome, Lettie, Hunter’s owner, curled up with her beloved friend in the ICU kennel. Lettie’s anguish and pain poured out in her tears as she told Hunter that she was not to leave her in this world, all alone. Understanding the prognosis and the painful journey Hunter would have to take, the life lines of hope were inserted and our collective prayers began.
One week passed and Hunter remained in grave danger. SAID Heroes monitored her from hour to hour and they took note of how she responded to Lettie’s regular visits with her eyes and a very weak movement in her tail. At the start of the second week, Hunter clearly indicated that her specialised feeding, being syringed into her mouth was not appetising at all. Perhaps, like all hospital food, it gives us all an excellent reason to get better and go home…. At the end of the second week, Hunter was able to lift her head, and when taken out onto the grass was able to semi squat to relieve herself. Unfortunately at this stage, Hunter was not even close to being out of the woods, the life line drip that kept her kidneys flushing would need to be removed to establish that her kidneys could function on their own. Her tongue was damaged by the uric acid and if progressed any further, there would be no alternative but to let her go over the rainbow bridge. At the end of the third week, and after a lot more strengthened walks on the grass, the life line drip was removed from her very tired veins. Everyone held their breath as Hunter started to lap up rice and chicken. She grew in strength, and we have a sneaky suspicion that she was dead set on avoiding the unappetising syringe meal, until today. Hunter has regained the weight she lost and is now a tail wagging, shiny coated, super happy bundle of life and energy.
Lettie is the most grateful client we have ever encountered and our SAID Hero hearts are overflowing with the joy of their shared love. Although she will always have to be fed with a special diet, Lettie is committed to care for her precious miracle, called Hunter.
The Society for Animals in Distress (SAID) has been in their superhero ‘capes’ throughout February following the Purrpaws for life Crisis in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng. The crisis involved a tragic and fatal fire causing many animals having to be rescued by other animal shelters and organisations. The rescuing of these animals was not the entire story however, as their need to be sterilised presented a far wider problem. The fostering organisations, that were already over-burdened, were presented with the responsibility of securing their encampments to prevent breeding and animals fighting. SAID came to the rescue and offered their professional service, in the form of an emergency mass sterilisation drive, to all organisations that were fostering Purrpaws for Life animals. Within the first two weeks, SAID had already attended to animals in Potchefstroom, the Vaal and Gauteng surrounds, taking care of many of the larger impacted organisations. To date over 200 animals have been sterilised and their primary healthcare secured through the professional skill of the SAID Hero’s. SAID is deeply grateful for your support and investment into the care and protection of these animals while they wait for their forever homes.
SAID reserves comment on any criminal allegations until the pending investigation and charges are resolved against Purrpaws For Life
