Care Douglasdale founder, Irene McKenzie, has passed away

A group of animal lovers and friends of Douglasdale-based Irene McKenzie embarked on a fundraising initiative to help her pay her medical bills.

The Fourways Review published an article [Week ending 21 May] in an effort to raise funds. Sadly, the Review learned that McKenzie, who is the founder of Centre for Animal Rehabilitation and Education (Care) in Douglasdale, passed away on 17 May.

Rachel Longster, a close friend of McKenzie, said, “Irene has dedicated her life to rescuing both domestic and wild animals for many years. She has nursed countless injured, orphaned and traumatised animals back to health over the years, finding new homes for the rescued domestic and exotic wild animals, and successfully releasing native wild animals back into the wild.”

Longster added that part of the funds raised would be channelled towards feeding and caring for animals at the rehabilitation centre. “The funds raised will go towards covering Irene’s medical costs while she [was] in hospital… It will also help towards feeding and caring for the numerous animals who are currently without their primary caregiver.”

Longster concluded, “We call on all Irene’s family, friends and fellow animal lovers to support her in this time of need and to give back to our beautiful buddy all the love and care she has given to others.”

To view the Back A Buddy page, go to www.backabuddy.co.za/irene-mckenzie