A whole community stood in the rain together, willing a tiny puppy to safety. We’re chopping onions again.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (23 March 2026) – Newcastle SPCA has made it through a busy weekend of rescues, with heavy rains that led to multiple callouts across the region.
One of them came from a young lady named Zinhle Mdlalose, who noticed a puppy trapped in an underground stormwater drain. It was bucketing down, and the little pup was struggling against the current just to keep its head up.
She knew that calling her local SPCA was the puppy’s only chance at survival.
With help from Newcastle Protection Services and the Fire Department to get safe access to the drain, the SPCA’s receptionist, Landi, dove straight into hero mode.
With dirty water rushing past her, she made her way into the active drain, moving against the current to reach the struggling puppy before it disappeared.
A crowd had gathered in the rain while this unfolded, just waiting and hoping for a miracle. When Landi finally emerged again, a puppy tucked safely under her arm, there wasn’t a dry eye in sight…
Newcastle SPCA captured it on camera:
The outburst of pure elation for a little life saved gave us all the goosebumps. It was the sunshine the weather forgot to bring.
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“We are so grateful for the incredible relationship we share with all emergency, safety and security companies and services within our area of operation. They always stand with us and put the animal first!” they wrote.
Leading by excellent example of the lengths that our animal heroes will go through, Landi’s bravery without hesitation was celebrated, too.
“This was Landi’s first pipe rescue, I know she was nervous and worried about what could be in that pipe but she dove straight in and got the pup to safety.” the SPCA shared. “Well done, [we are] so super proud of you and how far you have come!”
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