The life of Achi, a chocolate Labrador and registered guide dog, is safe thanks to South Africans who rallied to save him.
East London, South Africa (22 August 2025) – The story starts at sea. On 2 August, the NSRI pulled a Swiss dad and his daughter, as well as their chocolate lab, Achi, a registered guide dog, from rough seas 21 nautical miles South East of East London.
Their yacht was dead in the water, motor conked, sails wrecked, and six-metre swells pounding them. After several failed attempts to tow the yacht, the rescue team transferred the family into a lifeboat, then onto the NSRI’s rescue vessel.
Thankfully, they all made it to shore in one piece. Paramedics gave them a check-up, and an East London hotel took them in. But Achi’s trouble was just beginning.
Because Achi’s unplanned arrival in South Africa came without proper paperwork, authorities ordered him to be put down as a potential disease risk.
He was put under quarantine at Nahoon Bird & Animal Clinic under the care of a kind-hearted vet, Dr Pete Wood, who would go on to do everything in his power to keep Achi healthy and safe.
That’s when South Africans and others across the world fired into action. More than 3,000 signed a petition to save Achi’s life. Animal lovers, the NSRI, and the Swiss Consulate all rallied.
Over the course of the three weeks in August, uncertainty loomed.
Three times, Achi was prepared for euthanasia. Three times, last-minute interventions gave him another chance. Dr Wood kept him safe, and the community fought for answers.
At the 11th hour, ward councillor Jason McDowell and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen made the life-saving call, ordering tests to prove Achi was healthy. If the results came back clear, he would be spared.
A fundraiser by the NSRI was launched, as the clinic took on the management of all costs incurred to satisfy State Animal Health testing to prove that Achi was not a risk on South African shores.
East London stepped in to help save his life, too.
Local businesses ran specials to raise funds for Achi, and community members rallied to support in any way possible, as the clinic shut down for quarantine for several days.
Animals that were under care at the clinic went under lockdown, too. The kindness and patience of their owners have played a big role in Achi’s safekeeping.
“[Achi] is not the only animal to be affected by this saga. We have 4 dogs and 3 cats that were admitted earlier this week for treatment and procedures that are not able to be sent home,” the clinic wrote.
Finally, relief came yesterday, when the NSRI confirmed that Achi will live.
“We have 100% confirmation that dog Achi will remain alive and healthy,” a statement confirmed.
The test results came back proving that Achi poses no disease risk but he’ll remain under quarantine until he’s cleared to travel.
Thanks to a village of animal lovers, he will be able to leave South Africa with his family. Sadly, not on their yacht, which has been lost to the sea.
South Africans have proved once again that we don’t give up on those who need us most. Especially not a good boy like Achi.
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