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A local boy patiently waiting in the "recovery" area of the mobile clinic that was set up by the SPCA during their Tshiozwi outreach program last week. Photo: Louis Trichardt SPCA.

Lots of love during SPCA's first major community outreach

 

It was still early morning when the team of Louis Trichardt SPCA volunteers set off to the Tshiozwi tribal office in Sinthumule for their first official spay day and outreach on 29 June, organized in conjunction with the local state vet.

The outreach project started as a dream and goal that the local SPCA had set for themselves about two years ago. Along the way, there were many failed attempts to get things started. Finally, their dreams became a reality when their paths crossed with that of Louis Trichardt’s state veterinarian, Dr Bridget Edmonds. “… and it was truly a meeting meant to be,” said the SPCA.

Over the past few months, the SPCA with the help of Dr Edmonds and the mobile clinic from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, have completed a few mini-outreach programs in the surrounding areas, especially the rural areas. “We have committed to at least one afternoon a week to get to these animals in need and to help where we can,” explained the SPCA.

The objective for the SPCA is to focus on one area for at least four weeks, and then to move on to the next. In doing so, animals that are in dire need of treatment, receive at least four follow-up treatments from a trained veterinarian.

During these visits, a specific area is selected. Animals that have been identified for sterilization or some much needed medical care are collected and brought to the SPCA’s kennels where Dr Edmonds tends to them.

Last week’s outreach was the first of its kind attempted by the SPCA. A group of volunteers were gathered to assist Dr Edmonds and her team to perform the surgeries and treatments on location. “No words can capture the emotions and feelings that one experience on a day like this,” said the SPCA afterwards.

In total, the SPCA’s team were able to complete 22 sterilisations and vaccinate close to 90 animals. Every animal that visited the SPCA’s outreach station also got dewormed and dipped. Their human owners, as part of the outreach’s goals, were also educated about the benefits of having their pets sterilized and checked-up regularly by a vet.

“What we were able to achieve on a day like this, is merely a drop in the ocean. There is so much more that needs to be done, so many more that need our help,” said the SPCA after the outreach. “How amazingly blessed we have been once again, not only by a caring community of businesses and people that might not be able to offer up their time, but then still find a way to help animals in need in any which way they can,” they added.

The Louis Trichardt SPCA expressed their heartfelt thanks to each and every sponsor for their contributions and every volunteer who offered up their time, love and compassion to assist on the day. “It all came together because we all had one purpose, one passion and one goal … being the difference we would like to see in this world!” said the SPCA.

Thanks were extended to the whole SPCA team, committee and their senior inspector Lawrence Khodobo, kennel staff and office administrator. “Then we would like to thank all the state vets and animal welfare technicians who assisted us on the day. We cannot say thank you enough for your drive, passion and expertise!” said the SPCA.

Meet Frankie. She was rescued during one of the SPCA’s first mini-outreaches early in the year and she is a good example of what an enormous difference a little love and care can accomplish. The newspaper has also learned, reliably, that the SPCA received and application this week for Frankie’s adoption. Photo’s: Louis Trichardt SPCA.

One of the animals that was treated during the local SPCA's outreach in Tshiozwi last Thursday gets reunited with its owner. Photo: Louis Trichardt SPCA.

Some of the animal patients got some extra special transport back to their homes. Photo: Louis Trichardt SPCA.

Animals and their owners, waiting in line, at the mobile clinic. Photo: Louis Trichardt SPCA.

 

Date:07 July 2017

By: Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

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