Aug 7, 2023 | Rescue Stories
It wasn’t the usual call out
Most of our calls for help are about domestic animals in trouble.
This call was about a stray female giraffe in distress – she was stuck in mud.
We couldn’t respond to this call alone. Associates, game ranger Matthew Grant and manager, Michelle Grant of Phezulu Reserve, were approached to help, along with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
It was a team rescue. The giraffe was released from the mud and tranquillised by a wildlife vet, so that it could be safely returned to the semi-urban property from which it had escaped.
What was found at this private property were unsuitable conditions for keeping a wild animal restrained – and a second giraffe. There were also no legal requirements for the giraffes to be captive there.
The owner was advised and given a warning by the Kloof and Highway SPCA to improve the enclosure as well as information on the correct nutrition to be given to the two animals.
Sadly, the female giraffe died two days after being rescued. As a result, we’ve opened a case of Animal Cruelty.
The reality is that wild animals aren’t suited to being pets in captivity. They are born into the wild which is their natural habitat, and which supplies them with their natural healthy diet.
On a happier note, the male giraffe was sent to Phezulu game Reserve and named ‘Freedom’. He now lives a happy life, roaming free in the wild as he should be.
Our sincere thanks go to Phezulu Game Reserve, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the wildlife Veterinarian for their expertise and assistance on this occasion.
Aug 7, 2023 | Community, Rescue Stories
(Left)Kingston before he left the SPCA and(right)snuggling with a new friend in his new home.
Hanged in a tree and left to die
Why would anyone hang an innocent puppy in a tree and leave him to die?
We don’t know and can’t imagine why – but someone did.
Whether it was his indomitable spirit or the speed with which Field Officer, King Ndimande, untied the lifeless body pumping and massaging the little chest until he started breathing again, it’s still a miracle that he survived.
After his rescue he remained deeply traumatised, cowering in a corner petrified of any human approach . . . screaming when touched. In his eyes, we stood for the perpetrator of his barbaric treatment.
Yet slowly, very slowly, his natural character emerged, becoming our teacher. As he regained trust, there was a small wag of his tail, fewer and quieter yelps, until we knew eye to eye that he’d given humans a second chance. Displaying such generosity after all that he’d been through has been a lesson for all of us.
Field officer, King Ndimande is the hero in this story, so it’s only fitting that the pup was named after him – Kingston.
If only you could have seen the transformation that your gifts make possible for a dog like Kingston. He came in as a limp little body after his traumatic experience. But his spirit didn’t give up.
Because animal friends like you cared, he could be treated, fed, cared for and nurtured so that his trust of humans was regained. Kingston grabbed his second chance at life. And now a confident, playful and affectionate dog, he’s been adopted and is living his second chance to the full.
We thank you – for your kindness; and the Jones family for adopting him. Together you’ve made Kingston and all of us at the Kloof & Highway SPCA very happy.
Oct 31, 2022 | Dogs, Inspectorate Beat, Rescue Stories
Maverick – a story of transformation through love!
Inspector Petra Abrams responded to a complaint about dogs that were always roaming in the street as they were escaping the property in which they lived.
Inspector Abrams went to the premises and spotted an extremely thin, fearful dog. She spoke with the owner and told her that should the dog not be handed over immediately, the owner would be prosecuted. The owner complied and Petra gently put a lead on the dog and then lifted him into her vehicle to transport back to our Kloof and Highway SPCA.
Inspector Abrams noticed that the dog was terrified of people and decided she needed to help this beautiful dog to learn to trust again. Petra would sit with him gently talking to him and stroking him and at times even lay down next to him to gain his trust. This compassion worked and the dog started to trust Petra and other staff members. We named him Maverick and put him up for adoption, hoping he would find someone who would understand him and give him the love he so needed.
Our hopes were not in vain and Cathy Barnes fell in love with Maverick the moment she met him. Cathy renamed him Charlie as he is so goofy. Charlie loves making himself a bed with toys, towels and blankets. He is in his element when playing throw and catch with his toys and has a new best friend, a St Bernard called Olly (Olly is Cathy‘s son’s dog who was adopted from Randburg SPCA) Cathy has cats and also has visitors with both cats and dogs and is therefore doing crate training with Charlie prior to him being fully integrated with her cats, Molly (also from the SPCA) and Cole. Cathy has no doubt they will all soon be the best of friends as the training is going so well.
Thank you to Cathy and her family for the incredible home they have given to Charlie!
Join Our Newsletter
For Bi-monthly News & Updates!
Upon signing up, you hereby give permission to use your information as set out in the Kloof and Highway SPCA Privacy Policy.
Address
29 Village Rd, Kloof, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 3640
General Enquiries Email: reception@kloofspca.co.za
Phone: 031 764 1212/3
Fax: 031 764 6665
Emergency: 073 335 9322
Contact Us
Aug 30, 2022 | Cats, Clinic, Rescue Stories
Bingo was surrendered by his owner to the Kloof and Highway SPCA at the beginning of July and quickly stole the hearts of our staff.
Bingo was brought in by his owner because he could no longer take care of him.
He had tried to continue to care for his beloved dog after losing his job but sadly his circumstances had changed and there was no light at the end of the tunnel and he knew what he needed to do was make sure Bingo was taken care of. On admission, Bingo was matted, underweight, and lethargic but still had a wagging tail and a happy face. Our Clinic vet, Dr. Bangay found that he had biliary and would need medical care. Due to his dehydration, he was immediately put on a drip and was given the necessary medication. Bingo spent time in the clinic and soon perked up and was fed Hills Nutrition AD. He was given a trim and a warm bath. He started to feel much better and his big personality started to shine through! He is a happy little dog who loves going for walks and stops to say Hi to everyone.
Once Bingo was better, he was put up for adoption. This sweet-natured little dog needed someone who would understand him and give him the loving care he needed. Caroline Durrett‘s daughter told her mom about Bingo and Caroline, who had lost a beloved Maltese called Buffy some time ago, had not been ready to adopt another dog for some time. Her other little Maltese, Lulu needed company as did Caroline and her family, and when she met Bingo she knew straight away that the time was right to add a new family member
In Caroline‘s words, “Bingo has adopted us as if we always had him. He gets on so well with Lulu, my little Maltese although he still does not like to enter a bathroom. He loves everyone who visits and greets us all with his front paws waving. Bingo and Lulu sleep together on our bed at night and just love each other. Macayla, my granddaughter spends many happy moments with him and my husband has also grown so fond of Bingo who goes straight to him for a cuddle when he returns home every evening. Bingo loves to hare around the garden, chase the ball and any cat that ventures into the garden. I miss my Buffy terribly but when I met Bingo, I knew the time was right to adopt and I am so very happy I waited for our special little Bingo!”
Bingo has found his happy ending with his new owners who love him dearly.
Join Our Newsletter
For Bi-monthly News & Updates!
Upon signing up, you hereby give permission to use your information as set out in the Kloof and Highway SPCA Privacy Policy.
Address
29 Village Rd, Kloof, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 3640
General Enquiries Email: reception@kloofspca.co.za
Phone: 031 764 1212/3
Fax: 031 764 6665
Emergency: 073 335 9322
Contact Us
Aug 30, 2022 | Cats, Inspectorate Beat, Rescue Stories
On 2nd August, while everyone else was settling in for the night, Trainee Field Officer Sipho Mkhize was high up in a tree saving a cat!
After receiving a frantic call from Soxy’s owner Field Officer Sipho was sent to retrieve the distressed Soxy.
In the pitch dark Field Officer Sipho, with the help of a neighbor, climbed up a ladder and then up the tall tree where he managed to bring Soxy down to safety. A special thank you to Dean for assisting Trainee Field Officer Sipho and returning Soxy to her owners. A clearly relieved owner was delighted to have Soxy safe and sound.
Join Our Newsletter
For Bi-monthly News & Updates!
Upon signing up, you hereby give permission to use your information as set out in the Kloof SPCA Privacy Policy.
Address
29 Village Rd, Kloof, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 3640
General Enquiries Email: reception@kloofspca.co.za
Phone: 031 764 1212/3
Fax: 031 764 6665
Emergency: 073 335 9322
Contact Us
Jun 29, 2022 | Dogs, Inspectorate Beat, Rescue Stories
There is always a rainbow after the storm
Field Officer Philani Nzama responded to a call for a stray goat that had been found in the Bothas Hill area after the terrible storm at the end of May.
We suspect that the goat was separated from his mom during the storm and do not know how long he has been alone. He was clearly enamored with Philani who rescued him and took him through to our SPCA where he spent time in a kennel under a heating lamp with a warm bed and a full tummy.
This very special little rescue was then sent up to our Clinic where the our very own Vet, Dr Nic decided to give the little goat that stole everyone’s heart a home on his farm. A little ray of hope amidst the tragedy that surrounds us so often!
Thank you to our staff and volunteers for working even harder during the storms and thank YOU to our supporters who ensure we are able to continue our work even through the most trying times.
Join Our Newsletter
For Bi-monthly News & Updates!
Upon signing up, you hereby give permission to use your information as set out in the Kloof SPCA Privacy Policy.
Address
29 Village Rd, Kloof, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 3640
General Enquiries Email: reception@kloofspca.co.za
Phone: 031 764 1212/3
Fax: 031 764 6665
Emergency: 073 335 9322
Contact Us
