GALLERY: It’s a dog’s life

On 27 May, Douglasdale Police escorted Bloubosrand resident and animal activist Klarika (Nomsa) Nettleton into the nearby Pipeline Informal Settlement, where she carries out much of her charitable work with animals in need.

In South Africa, the reality is, for every fat and happy suburban Staffordshire, Labrador or Yorkshire terrier, there are scores of hungry and homeless ‘pavement specials’ living in overcrowded squatter camps.

One shack dweller in Pipeline Informal Settlement had no less than nine dogs, all medium to large breeds.

A few still had flabby post-preggo bellies with elongated nipples, although there were no recent litters of pups in sight.

When asked why she kept so many dogs, she replied, “For security. At night they make me feel safe.”

There is water on tap, and a handful of street lights, but the dirt roads are filthy – littered with rubbish.

It is from these piles of refuse that many of the dogs scavenge for scraps, drinking from buckets of dirty laundry water in which the women do their

hand-washing.

These are hardy animals, having developed a natural resistance to internal and external parasites, but vaccinations are still necessary.

As is sterilisation, to curb the cycle of breeding and over-population.

Part of Klarika’s mission is making impoverished communities aware of the Kya Sand Community Veterinary Clinic (KSVC) which visits the area one afternoon a month to offer basic healthcare services to the animals for a nominal fee.“Educating these people about responsible animal care needs to be ongoing,” Klarika said.

“I rely solely on public support, and am making a plea for any donations that will help keep these animals well-fed and warm in the winter months ahead.”

Sampson Seleka, a community leader in nearby Thabo Mbeki Informal Settlement, who cares deeply for animals, has also made an appeal for a bicycle to move around in the squatter camp and help animals wherever possible.

Details: Klarika Nettleton, 011 462 1445.

Related article: