At first sight, the Wildlife Centre for Rehabilitation and Education (CARE) based in Topaas Avenue, Jukskei Park, seems somewhat daunting, with snakes, spiders and worms at every turn.
Daunting as it may be, the task Irene McKenzie-Fraser of CARE has taken on is far more overwhelming. She cares for all animals, big and small, and does everything from snake and spider rescues to caring and rehabilitating primates, reptiles, garden birds, owls, hadedas and small mammals.
Not only is she a passionate woman who cares for all creatures living in the city, McKenzie-Fraser is also a police reservist at the Douglasdale Police Station and so, when she is not caring for injured animals, she is serving her community alongside our brave women and men in blue.
“When FreeMe closed around November last year, I started helping with the animal load,” McKenzie-Fraser said. Since November, more than 500 animals have entered the centre, with most being released back into their natural habitat once healed and rehabilitated.
McKenzie-Fraser said while she does what she does because she is passionate, it can get very costly, and urged residents to support her. “I am always in need of bird seed, money to buy worms for the animals that come in, pine-cones and honey, old fire hoses and PVC piping.
“The Bryanston Avian Exotic and Small Animal Clinic [previously known as the Bryanston Veterinary Clinic] truly does amazing work. They care for the animals we bring in, at no cost to us.” McKenzie-Fraser urged residents to support the work the clinic did and said those looking to support could donate money to the animal fund at the clinic.
Dr Parushan Yenketsamy of the clinic, said they supported a number of animal organisations including CARE, Friends of Free Wildlife and Animal Allies. “We are passionate about animals and love what we do. We are in the privileged position to help and do what we can, medically, for the animals that come through our doors,” said Yenketsamy.
Details: CARE 083 659 3727; Bryanston Avian Exotic and Small Animal Clinic 011 706 1381.
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