The Animal Welfare Society of SA dispatched an eight-member search and rescue team to Jim se Bos informal settlement that was once home to 564 displaced residents in search of any injured animals amongst the scorched and blackened remains.
The intensity of the fire and the sheer magnitude of the loss that they saw was enough to overwhelm anyone while the Animal Welfare Society of SA carefully picked and rummaged their way through the wreckage looking and listening for any signs of life.
The Animal Welfare Society was left in shock and hurt when they noticed the charred remains of animals who tragically perished in the blaze – cats, dogs and poultry.
One of the team members pointed out the charred remains of a little puppy that was chained to a partially molten stake in the ground. It was a heartbreaking sight.
He called for a body bag, and gently placed the remains of the puppy into it, wiped the tears from his eyes and bravely moved on to the next row of mangled metal and melted plastic that represented the remains of someone’s home.
At this point, the team felt that this fire had spared nothing and no one, until they heard faint meowing. They searched until they found a severely burnt cat cowering under a scorched and soggy mattress.
The team gently scooped her up and raced her back to the Animal Welfare Society hospital for life-saving treatment. Despite the extent and severity of her burns she made quick work of a bowl of food and is responding well to intensive treatment.
“Our Animal Care Centre Supervisor Lawrence Nkotha who has been at her side for most of today decided to name her Tracey in honour of one of our major cattery donors and is confident that she is going to make it.”
“We will continue to render assistance to this embattled community until they are back on their feet and have informed Alderman JP Smith that we have availed ourselves as a safe drop-off point for anyone who would like to give them a hand-up,” says the Animal Welfare Society of SA.
The Animal Welfare Society would like to spread awareness to encourage human education and the sterilisation of all pets in the community. If you would kindly like to support the Animal Welfare Society, click here to generously donate using their PayFast Account.
“Your support will mean a great deal to us and even more to the residents of Jim se Bos,” the Animal Welfare Society of SA adds.
Picture/s: Supplied