Rescue dogs from the streets of Africa

Last week our outreach team headed into a local township in South Africa to offer free vaccinations for Distemper as we have seen an alarming outbreak. If a dog contracts distemper the local authorities remove the dogs and put them down and the owners simply go out and get another dog and don't learn.

 

Therefore our outreach team is visiting the sites weekly to educate the locals and ensure we break this cycle. Offering a free vaccination also allows us to manage the alarming number of street dogs as we offer free care on the condition we sterilise their dog too, which we also fund through donations. This way we can help limit the number of puppies being born and left on the streets.

 

We love our program and the results are amazing as this is week 10 and it is the first time we had no deaths reported and no cases found of Distemper - success down to our team and you the donors that fund this amazing work! 

Sadly towards the end of our session we got reports of a neglected dog and so Maxine and I went to explore and I couldn't believe what we found. A poor dog was left in a dirty backyard with nothing, no owner in sight but we reported the location to the police and rescued him immediately. 

Named Ragnar, he literally was at death's door when we rescued him, I mean no dog can survive in that state. Admitted with our pawsome vets. Ragnar has now been discharged but not out of the woods at all. The scans show he has two foreign objects in his abdomen, from eating stones or rubbish, so our vets induced vomiting to see if it would come out, but it didn't, so now the only hope is he can pass them naturally and that it doesn't cause complications of any kind because he cannot be operated on in his state. So he is at the haven now, enjoyed a cool down in the little shell pool and loves his kennel.

My heart drops for this boy, because after all he has been through he is still wagging his tail, and he gives the best kisses. Sitting with him and cuddling him is medicine to my soul because I just cannot explain how amazing Ragnar is and that he factually is a living walking miracle.

We however have our rehab and treatment work cut out for us, he gets so out of breath just from standing and eating that he seems to get dizzy and falls over again. But it doesn't matter, whatever it takes, however long it takes, we will do everything to give Ragnar the best second chance in life, he not only deserves it but has earned it! 

On a brighter note, remember Max? The first puppy this project rescued was neglected and kept turning up at our township school. Well he is now adopted looking super healthy and has such loving new owners. The photo above shows Ragnar when we found him, Ragnar when released to us and Max in his new home.

 

Your donations are working so hard and really are life changing. We have an uphill fight on our hands but the passion of our team and your incredible donations means we will not give up!

 

Thank you,