Dog dumped in Diepsloot
DIEPSLOOT - FourPaws animal shelter, just outside Diepsloot, is urging the community to be discerning when giving pets away to other people.
FourPaws is an animal shelter, and a rescue and rehabilitation centre. Their inspectors and volunteers work in underprivileged areas around Johannesburg to offer veterinary services to underprivileged pet-owners.
Where possible the shelter tries to keep the pets with their owners while assisting with healthcare and sterilisation of the animals, however in extreme cases of abuse the shelter confiscates the animals and re-homes them.
Merinda Brits of the shelter said they recently found a Maltese poodle running on William Nicol Drive, just outside Diepsloot. “He was obviously lost and very bewildered,” she said. Fortunately the shelter managed to catch the dog. Brits said the poodle’s coat was filthy and matted and his body was covered with ticks.
“We strongly suspect that he was given away, by his owner, to their domestic worker living in Diepsloot,” Brits said. She explained that the shelter was dealing with more and more cases of people giving their pets away to domestic workers when having to move or emigrate. “Most people living in townships don’t have the means, finances or transport to provide their pets with basic healthcare and veterinary treatments,” she said.
“As a result, many sick and injured animals die a slow, painful death.” Brits further explained that often pet-owners in underprivileged areas do not have fences and dogs end up on the streets and many die from being run over by cars and taxis. “The average lifespan of a dog living in a township with no animal welfare assistance is one year,” Brits said. “We urge all people to make very sure of the circumstances before giving your pet away.”
FourPaws needs the financial support of the community to continue their rescue efforts in underprivileged areas. Brits said the running costs of the shelter were on average R80 000 per month.
The community can make a donation to the shelter by SMSing ‘4PAWS’ TO 38111 to donate R10.
Alternatively they can contact the shelter directly to make a donation.
Details: 083 377 3219; merinda@4ourpaws.org.za
