FURRY GODMOTHERS IN IT FOR LOVE OF ANIMALS

The familiar white bakkie trudges slowly over dirt roads, while dodging a myriad of potholes – armed with medicine, bags of food and warm blankets for the dozens of dogs foraging for scraps to eat.

These dogs are in need: skin scarred by mange, ribs protruding. Some are terrified and skulk away in corners to avoid being stoned or kicked by bored and ignorant children.

But those who know them are all tail-waggingly happy to see the hardworking and caring furry Godmothers from the Jeffreys Bay Animal Rescue Sanctuary (JBay ARS).

This non-profit organisation, established in 2013, used to work from the back of a bakkie alone – always with one goal: to assist animals wherever there is a need.

Their first stop on the day: an all too familiar house in Ocean View where they are faced with seven puppies living in horrible conditions – it is not the first time.

The mother-dog is nowhere to be found. Not even in her makeshift shelter that provides no proper protection against the sun, cold, wind or rain.

Refusing to surrender her puppies, despite the desperate plea to the owner, the volunteers can only administer deworming medication and flea powder. However, they are determined to have the puppies spayed once they are old enough.

Next on their list is a house just a few blocks away. Here the pet owner agrees to surrender seven of the eleven puppies – all starving – including the mother.

At a house in Pellsrus, three of four puppies are given to the organisation.

Another five puppies close-by are dewormed and treated with flea powder, while a dog in a wire cage filled hallway with his own faeces, is given food.

Changing lives

For four days a week, volunteers at the JBay ARS visit every street in Ocean View and Pellsrus in Jeffreys Bay – spending up to five hours each day tending to the animals they encounter.

From nursing injured or sick dogs, providing food, giving worm medication and vaccinations to treating mange and parasites – the help is free of charge. Where possible, they persuade dog owners to surrender unwanted puppies; sometimes more than 30 puppies a month.

Sterilisation is at the top of their priority list, but that requires funds – a rare commodity for the organisation that depends on donations from the public and money generated at their charity shop.

They do not discriminate against breed or species. If it is an animal and it needs help and they can, they will. They have taken in dogs, cats, horses, goats, birds, pigs and tortoises.

“Many of these animals belong to residents who do not know how or do not have the means to care for their animals properly,” says JBay ARS co-founder, Jessie Naudé, who has become one of the community’s go-to animal care persons. “As an organisation, we try to create awareness and demonstrate proper care – and a lot of the community members, young and old, do love their animals.

“They all have our number, so when there are emergencies, such as a dog being hit by a car or attacked by another dog, they contact us to come and help.”

Not always easy

While they have met and worked with wonderful people, Naudé says she has also seen an immense amount of animal cruelty. “I have had to help treat stab and burn wounds on dogs and have seen animals – even puppies – on thick chains for days on end, without shelter, food or water.

“We try to rehome many stray, abused and unwanted animals to alleviate the suffering.”

Although most of the community see them as a helpful service, they have been threatened once or twice.

“Even when things get a little challenging, the job is still incredibly rewarding,” she says. “Seeing an animal coming in broken changing into a completely different dog with new life and unconditional love, is definitely worth all the hardship that we have to go through to help them.”

Clinic

In a bid to provide primary veterinary healthcare services to the fast-growing community with limited to no access to help for their animals, the organisation opened an animal clinic in Ocean View in 2019.

The Community Animal Clinic consists of a reception area, general consultation room, preparation room, surgical room and recovery and general kennels. There is an area where residents can have their animals washed and dipped daily, as well as a permanent on-site caretaker to assist pet owners – no matter the time or day.

Services offered include spaying, neutering, vaccines, intestinal parasite examinations, heartworm treatment and prevention and small surgeries.

“Working at the sanctuary entails managing the clinic, ensuring that the animals are looked after, rehoming animals and, most importantly, community empowerment and education,” says Naudé.

How to help

The JBay ARS, situated on the road between Jeffreys Bay and Aston Bay, are open from 08:00 to 17:00 during the week, and from 08:00 to 10:00 and from 15:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays and Sundays.

Naudé appeals to the public to support not only the JBay ARS, but other animal organisations too, and to adopt a rescued animal.

Monetary donations can be made to JBay Animal Rescue Sanctuary at First National Bank, account number 62483048445.

• To help or for more information, contact Naudé at 083 650 6373. For emergencies, contact 076 675 6633.