Petros shares Kloof SPCA’s ‘moo’ving tales
This week the Highway Mail chats to the Kloof and Highway SPCA's Petros, who is closely regarded as a father to many of its employees.
AFTER 19 years of service to the Kloof and Highway SPCA, Petros Ntuli has been able to gather a myriad of stories that range from empowering and gut-wrenching to heart-warming and maddening.
The humble staff member, or Mkhulu, as he is affectionately known, is only too keen to share these stories with those who have a few minutes spare
What is it that you love about your job?
Dealing with animals each day. The best feeling is when they arrive scared and unhappy and you have a chance to make them feel safe and happy.
Describe a typical day in your shoes:I wake up at 5am every morning and get to work early. Every day is different and you never know what will happen in a day as there are so many things. My first job of the day is to bring in animals from the standby kennels that were brought in after hours. I will vaccinate, weigh them and do a general health check. I need to make sure they are okay and help them to understand they are now safe. I will take any sick or injured animals up to our clinic. I then clean the standby kennels and make sure they have food and are comforting for new animals. During the rest of the day I help the inspectors who arrive with scared or aggressive dogs as they need an experienced hand to help. Every day is different.
How has Covid-19 affected your work at the Kloof and Highway SPCA?
I have more animals to care for. So many people have lost their jobs and they are struggling to feed their families. We are all working as a team at the SPCA. Some days I help to drive stock to our thrift shops or collect donated goods. We do what’s needed.
ALSO READ: Drienie counts Kloof SPCA’s blessings
What are you most looking forward to doing once the lockdown has been lifted?
To visit my family.
Do you have any animals?
Yes, I have two dogs. One is five years old and the other one is 10 years old.
What is one animal related story from the Kloof SPCA that will always stick with you?
About a year ago we were trying to catch a dog that was loose on our property. We suspected the dog was rabid because of its behaviour and the sounds it made. When I first tried to catch the dog, it ran up to me and tried to bite me so I jumped into a banana tree to get away! I found a net, hid in the bushes and waited quietly for the dog to come past me again. It never saw me in the bush and I caught it with the net!
If there was one place you could go to in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Pietermaritzburg! It’s my place, my home!
ALSO READ: Rivona rallies behind Kloof SPCA’s cause
What is the first thing you would buy if you won the lotto?
I would buy a house – a big house because I have a big family! Then I can also take all of the dogs home!
What is your spirit animal?
Bhubesi – A lion! They are big, brave, loyal and have a big family.
What would your superpower be if you could choose one?
I wish I could speak to animals. I want to tell them they are safe with me, that I will not hurt them and only want to help them. I want to know who hurt them, and all of them have a story.
If you were not working at the Kloof SPCA, what job do you think you would have?
I think I would have been a farmer at home, planting things and growing them.
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