Kloof SPCA saves donkeys from brutal slaughter
The local animal welfare organisation will soon put the donkeys up for adoption.
NINETY nine donkeys were saved from the illegal donkey skin trade and 36 of them were taken in, and will later be rehomed, by the Kloof and Highway SPCA.
About 100 donkeys had been traveling near Mooi River when they were stopped by the Mooi River SPCA with the assistance of SAPS.
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On Tuesday, 9 March the local animal welfare’s manager, Barbara Patrick received a call from the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) to ask if the Kloof and Highway SPCA would be able to accommodate donkeys that were removed from a dangerous situation.
“It was found that the donkeys, which included young foals, were destined for slaughter for their skins which would later be used in the donkey skin trade,” said the NSPCA in a statement.
The donkeys had severe external parasite infections as well as open wounds and were placed under the care of the NSPCA. Arrangements were made for 36 mother and baby donkeys to be taken to Kloof and Highway SPCA and the remaining 64 donkeys were transported to the Johannesburg SPCA.
“We immediately agreed to help and arrangements were made for the donkeys to be transported to Summerveld where our SPCA would then transport them to our premises,” said Patrick.
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The Kloof and Highway SPCA put out an appeal on Facebook for help to transport the donkeys as well as an appeal for donations of food, medical treatment, additional shelters to be built and the repair of its electric fencing. To date, the post has reached more than a 105 thousand people and was shared by more than 1 600 people.
“The answer to our cry for help was overwhelming and immediate. Transportation arrangements were made, our electrical fence was fixed, bales of were delivered as well as donations for the medical care the donkeys would need,” said Patrick.
The following day, staff and volunteers with horseboxes arrived at Summerveld to meet the truck and offload the 36 donkeys that would need to be taken to the Kloof and Highway SPCA.
It took the dedicated team about four hours to complete the task and ensure that all 36 donkeys were safely placed in the paddocks with freshly cut grass and clean water.
“Although content, the donkeys suffered severe external and internal parasite infestations and most of them had wounds that needed immediate and ongoing treatment. One foal collapsed from exhaustion and was put on a drip overnight and made a full recovery. Another foal sadly passed away on Friday after suffering a seizure,” said Patrick.
A blood smear revealed the foal had Babesia which was caused by a severe tick infestation.
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“The donkeys have a long road to recovery and we still need your support to ensure we can continue their care and happily home them. It is what they deserve after their difficult start in life and horrific fate that awaited them. The Kloof and Highway SPCA would like to thank our community for their outpouring of support. Without you we could not have prevented the immense cruelty they faced,” said Patrick.
The public is invited to visit the donkeys.
To adopt one of the donkeys, contact the Kloof and Highway SPCA’s adoption officer, Tania, via email at adoption@kloofspca.co.za.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
