When a young boy’s handwritten “thank you” to Funda Nenja and the SPCA for saving his sick dog went viral, it didn’t just melt the internet’s heart; it brought his grateful family to tears as they realised exactly how much their small act of kindness moved the world.
Mpophomeni, South Africa (26 February 2026) – Some stories truly tug at the heart.
Just two weeks ago, Funda Nenja shared a touching story about Alondwe Ngcobo, who joined their dog school in 2021. Sadly, his beloved dog passed away, leaving Alondwe devastated. Sensing his grief and sense of loss, his mother gifted him a new dog, whom Alondwe named Rocky. Together, this closely bonded pair now find themselves in Funda Nenja’s top class.
The story, however, becomes even more heartfelt when Rocky fell ill. With support from the Funda Nenja team, Rocky was admitted to the uMngeni SPCA clinic and received the care she needed.
After Rocky recovered from severe kennel cough and returned home, Alondwe wrote a letter of thanks to both Funda Nenja and the SPCA. This letter was later shared on social media.
“This story touched the hearts of many and resulted in the post going viral – viewed over 61,000 times, 83 shares and 88 comments that were mostly directed at Rocky’s family,” Funda Njenja shared.
This week, Zinhle, the organisation’s social worker, visited the Ngcobo family, bringing goodies and sharing the news of the impact of Alondwe’s letter with his grandmother.
“Alondwe Ngcobo’s granny shed tears when I read the comments from Alondwe’s previous post on Facebook. She told us how much she appreciates having Rocky as a member of the family. She continued, saying that she and Alondwe always make sure they share their food with Rocky, even in difficult times,” Zinhle said.
The grandmother and the neighbouring community expressed their firm belief that Funda Nenja would come to Rocky’s rescue and assist them in their hour of need.
Alondwe and Rocky’s journey with Funda Nenja, along with their family and the community’s gratitude, just goes to show how the animal welfare organisation’s One Welfare approach has transformed the community’s perception of animals and the way they care for them.
Sources: Funda Nenja
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