One rescue story that highlights the plight of dogs and rescue centres… even in the midst of a global pandemic!
Hennops River, South Africa (03 September 2020) – At Dogtown, the team have become used to, but not immune to, the horrors that humans are able to inflict on animals and in particular, dogs.
Fundraising efforts never cease as there is an almost a never-ending flow of abandoned and abused dogs needing to be saved. Most recently, the Dogtown team were called to rescue a dog that they have named Ina, after the person who alerted the team to the dog’s plight.
“The story and the images are disturbing, but as the world focuses once again on humans, with good cause as a result of the coronavirus, we must continue to work tirelessly to save souls like Ina.”
Late one afternoon just as the team were getting ready to go home, a call came in from a lady named Ina and her husband who were on their way to Pretoria when they saw an injured dog on the side of the highway. It also appeared that the little dog was tied to a branch or a tree. They waited at the scene for the Dogtown team to arrive to show exactly where the dog was.
What the team found was unconscionable.
Two of the dog’s legs were entangled in a piece of wire attached to a wooden log. Whether this was the result of a make-shift snare or a deliberate act of cruelty is unknown, but the wire had been around her legs for some time. The part around her front leg had already cut through to the bone, and her back leg was badly injured. Circulation had been cut off, resulting in severe swelling. It was clear that her pain was excruciating.
“The team rushed her to Fourways Vet, who are always ready and willing to help, and the vet did the best it could. Unfortunately, Ina’s front leg had to be amputated. The vet was, however, able to save the other leg and her life.”
At a time like this, with a diving economy and the coronavirus causing a general decrease in donations, Dogtown relies on its supporters to assist with sponsorships. Despite the current financial stresses, Dogtown supporters came through for them and for Ina.
Ina’s initial vet bills have been settled, but Ina will need months of ongoing care and follow-ups to ensure that she recovers and grows from strength to strength. As a result, there is a continuing need to pay her vet bills, as there is with the rest of the dogs at Dogtown.
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Dogtown centre manager, Wilmi Kloppers, is fostering Ina while she is recuperating and the pup is making great strides every day. Ina is responding well to the love and care given to her, and she was already wagging her tail after her first night in Wilmi’s care.
“Ina’s trust in humans has obviously been crushed by the abuse she had encountered, and her rehabilitation will, therefore, be both physical and mental. Our highly qualified trainers here at Dogtown will work to rehabilitate her and hopefully prepare her for a home with a loving family.
Stories like this are more common than the general public is aware of, and the coronavirus pandemic has further increased the cases of the abandonment of dogs, placing shelters under even more pressure to save these dogs and find loving and forever homes for them.”
Dogtown is a registered non-profit organisation that solely relies on donations and support from the public. Any and everyone can do their bit for these dogs by a simple financial donation, from as little as R10.00 and can be done by sending an SMS with the word INA to 38919*. It is that easy. Donors can also rest assured that their contribution will see the dogs receive the best possible care they deserve.
There is no closing date for donations to support Ina’s recovery or to assist other dogs in Dogtown’s care. Every little bit helps.
“Dogtown greatly appreciates individuals’ donations, however, requires the support of the corporate community as well. We are imploring companies who are operating at full capacity during this time to step up and donate to help save more lives.”
Adopt Dogtown as your charity of choice and email Pat at pat@dogtownsa.org for more information.
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