Being an animal lover and devoted pet parent can seem like an easy enough role to fill, but it is not always possible to predict how tough it can be.
For many pet owners, unexpected medical conditions and accidents were never part of their hopes and dreams for their furry friends. That’s why organisations such as Vesper on Wheels can literally be lifesavers when the worst case scenario becomes reality.
Vesper on Wheels started in 2016 when Judy Jooste, the organisation’s founder, fostered a little disabled mini dachshund, called Vespa.
Vesper, whose name was changed from Vespa after the Bond character Vesper Lynd, was approximately four years old. She has a condition called inter-vertebral disc disease (IVDD), which is prevalent in long-backed dogs.
Jooste first met Vesper at Woodrock animal rescue, where she liked to volunteer.
She said that when she first adopted Vesper, she struggled to find information about caring for disabled animals. “I decided there and then that I don’t want anyone to struggle to get wheels or information on disabled dogs as much as I did,” she said.
“I then started the group Vesper on Wheels on Facebook, in order to enable owners to keep their disabled dogs healthy and mobile, while ensuring them a good quality of life.”
Originally, Vesper on Wheels mainly shared information before Jooste started building inexpensive wheels from PVC pipes.
Jooste said: “I was inspired by an American group that did the same and I asked people to re-donate the wheels when they are able to. After I retired, Woodrock approached me and suggested I started a non-profit organisation as it would be easier to fundraise in order to help more animals.”
Vesper on Wheels was registered as an NPO in 2019, and despite Covid, it has grown very quickly.
“In the first year we were able to supply wheels to 19 animals, and in 2021, we helped a total of 38 animals – dogs, cats, bunnies, sheep and even a goat. This does not include consultation and mentoring, which is a 24/7 job,” she said.
“Living with a disabled animal, especially in the first few weeks after they got injured, takes courage and can be extremely overwhelming. It helps to have someone who can talk you through it, by providing you with as much information as possible.”
The organisation doesn’t only help dogs, it has helped cats, bunnies, goats, sheep, and even tried to help a hedgehog, not only in Pretoria, but nationwide.
The work that Vesper on Wheels does, doesn’t come cheap. The cost of a wheelchair starts at R3 500, halos – a harness that acts like a “walking stick” for blind animals – costs around R800, prosthesis R5 000 and up, and a surgery can cost in the region of R20 000.
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