The Garden Route SPCA shared the story of Whisky who was taken to them to be surrendered but he loved his owner so much, he clung to her; they made another plan and he is happier than ever!
Garden Route, South Africa (13 April 2021) – The Garden Route SPCA were out dropping off dogs and cats that had been sterilised when they met Whisky the dog. Whisky was being surrendered by his elderly owner but he clung to her, so the SPCA inspector offered to help in another way.
Whisky’s elderly owner has been struggling financially and knew she was no longer able to provide for him, so she approached Salome Bruyns, the SPCA inspector returning the sterilised pets, and asked to surrender Whisky.
It became very clear to Salome that Whisky was very well-loved and cared for so she asked the woman to explain why she was surrendering him. It was then that Salome learned the only reason was that the woman could no longer afford to feed Whisky.
“While we were busy taking sterries home an elderly lady called us to surrender her dog because she struggles financially. He didn’t leave her side and grabbed on to her. My heart broke into a million pieces. How do I take a dog away from someone who loves her dog and whose dog clearly adores her just because she struggles at the moment? I simply couldn’t.” – Inspector Salome Bruyns
Seeing him cling to the woman added to Salome’s desire to help the pair stay together. The Garden Route SPCA shared the images of Whisky on their Facebook page and it quickly went viral among animal lovers in South Africa. The Garden Route SPCA had asked for anyone wanting to support them, to do so via the various donation options.
Within hours, financial donations, as well as food donations, started coming in. Inspector Salome was blown away by the support from the Garden Route community and people beyond that offered to assist.
The elderly owner, later identified as Mrs Maliso, has also been trying to feed and care for a young female dog named Peekaboo that had been abandoned by her family. The dog, very skittish, keeps her distance and when the SPCA came to assist with her, she ran.
“The lady owns two dogs the one that you saw, and Peekaboo behind her on last nights post as well. Thanks to our super supporters, YOU! We will have both sterilised, vaccinated, treated for worms and mange, and assist with food monthly.”
With all the funds raised Whisky and Peekaboo now have lots of nutritious food, love, support and care thanks to the people who supported this cause. Donors also donated towards Mrs Maliso, she was gifted a bunch of goodies as well as a stunning bouquet of flowers.
Beyond Whisky’s story, there are hundreds more like him. The Garden Route SPCA team are working to make sure every dog’s story has a happy ending like Whisky’s. You can follow his story via their Facebook page here.
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