A free pet clinic in Vrygrond turned into a dramatic rescue when a shack fire trapped seven dogs behind locked gates. With smoke billowing and time running out, a team of animal welfare heroes charged into the flames – saving every single one.
Western Cape, South Africa (09 February 2025) – What started as a routine free pet clinic in Vrygrond turned into a life-saving animal rescue when a shack fire trapped seven dogs inside a burning shebeen.
Thanks to the quick actions of local animal welfare teams, these beloved pets made it out alive.
The pet clinic—run by AfriPaw, TEARS Animal Rescue and supported by Network for Animals (NFA)—was already a much-needed service for the community, providing vital veterinary care for hundreds of animals. But in an unexpected turn, plumes of thick black smoke signalled an urgent crisis.
“As soon as we got there, we heard terrified dogs howling in distress from behind a solid sheetmetal gate,” explained Luke Barritt, NFA’s Campaign Director.
The challenge? The shebeen owner was hesitant to open the gate, fearing looters would ransack his stock. But behind that metal door, lives were hanging in the balance. After tense negotiations, the gate was cracked open just long enough for Barritt and his team to charge into the smoke-filled chaos.
In a heart-stopping moment, they managed to pull six adult dogs and a puppy to safety.
“It is so lucky we were there,” said Barritt.
“With everyone focused on fighting the fire and holding back looters, no-one was looking out for the animals, and we rescued them just in time.”
Vrygrond, a community facing the daily struggles of poverty and gang violence, was already on edge after a gang leader’s funeral earlier that day. Some locals believe the fire was a targeted attack, retaliation against the shebeen owner for refusing to pay protection money. But amid the chaos and tension, a team of dedicated animal lovers refused to let innocent lives be lost.
While NFA raced to save the trapped dogs, AfriPaw and TEARS carried on with their mission, treating over 420 dogs and 150 cats – providing vaccinations, deworming, sterilisation, and essential medical care.
But this wasn’t just an emergency rescue—it was a moment that highlighted the unwavering dedication of those working to protect Vrygrond’s most vulnerable animals. Their bravery and compassion turned what could have been a devastating loss into a powerful reminder: even in the face of fire and fear, there are people willing to risk it all for the sake of love, loyalty and life.
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