Over 10 SPCAs and Security Teams Band Together For Massive Rescue In Plastic City

Photo Credit: Brakpan SPCA

This week showed us, again, what good can come when people who care work together in dire situations.

Brakpan, South Africa (12 September 2025) – After a massive fire and unrest tore through Plastic City in Brakpan recently, putting people and animals in danger, more than ten SPCAs, local security teams, and the SAPS joined forces for a massive rescue mission.

Plastic City has long been an area of hardship. Violence linked to illegal mining and fires has made it dangerous for residents and nearly impossible for animal welfare teams to enter safely.

When the most recent fire ripped through the informal settlement, it put countless animals at risk. Brakpan SPCA has been working in the area for years, but this time, they knew they couldn’t face it alone. The scale of the disaster demanded far more hands and resources.

That’s when the call went out, and the NSPCA family answered and acted fast.

Nine SPCAs from across Gauteng (From Brakpan to Boksburg, Benoni, Edenvale, Germiston-Bedfordview, Heidelberg, Kempton Park and Nigel), as well as the NSPCA, Brakpan SAPS, Secure Tech Security and A-Tac Security all stood side by side to make sure they’d rescue as many animals as possible.

It was dangerous work, with the risk of flare-ups and violence still on the ground, but together they managed to bring 23 abandoned and compromised animals to safety.

“What an incredible team we had the privilege of working alongside. So many animals were left behind and abandoned as families were forced out of the area after the devastating fire in Plastic City. Together, with dedicated hearts and helping hands, we were able to bring relief, care, and hope to animals who desperately needed it. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined this outreach – your compassion made all the difference,” shares Nigel SPCA.

This wasn’t the first time SPCAs have braved Plastic City. Brakpan SPCA has been responding to calls in the settlement for years. In 2022, they joined a multi-disciplinary operation that saved over 100 animals.

Yes, this is a story is about the incredible good that can come from animal welfare, but it’s also about people. It’s about security teams who put themselves on the line to make the mission possible, and about SPCAs that dropped everything to answer a call for help outside their own communities.

Plastic City still faces the brunt of hardship but this week reminded us that compassion cuts through crisis. Twenty three animals are safe today because people cared enough to work together.