Distemper
Photo Credit: Screengrab

Sidewalk Specials has been working hard to curb the outbreak of Distemper in the De Doorns farming community by doing mass vaccinations and boosters.

 

De Doorns, South Africa (18 August 2021) – Sidewalk Specials is a non-profit company specialising in sterilising animals and rescuing abused animals. They also save animals waiting on euthanasia lists. The organisation credits itself as the “Uber” of Shelters as they rescue and rehome animals using their volunteer base but do not have any infrastructure.

“We have no shelter! You know how Uber has no cars? Air B&B has no hotels? We use YOUR homes as our shelter! 100% foster-based rescue: meaning no overheads, no stressed out shelter dogs, we know our rescues personally and can match them to the right home.”

“We run sterilisation drives! There are too many to save- far, far too many! Stopping them being born into abuse and neglect is the solution! Sterilise your pets, sponsor a sterilisation & don’t even think of supporting breeders!”

Part of the organisation is running outreach in the De Doorn’s farming community. The farming community is impoverished and has no access to vets or rescue centres. Sidewalk Specials visited the community and saw an outbreak of Distemper.

Sadly Distemper is highly contagious and can be fatal, so vaccinating against it is very important. The first vaccination drive last month saw 450 animals being treated. The second drive saw a further 525 dogs vaccinated or given boosters against the disease.

The organisation hopes to vaccinate more animals to stop the outbreak from taking hold. They are hoping to get the greater public involved in the initiative.

It is heartbreaking to see how the virus attacks perfectly healthy animals, but these cases can be combatted with awareness campaigns and vaccination drives. If you would like to support the drive, you can donate to the cause here.


Sources: Sidewalk Specials 
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About the Author

Tyler Leigh Vivier is a writer for Good Things Guy.

Her passion is to spread good news across South Africa with a big focus on environmental issues, animal welfare and social upliftment. Outside of Good Things Guy, she is an avid reader and lover of tea.

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