Migrants refuse to depart without their furry companions

As migrants prepare to leave South Africa, two men have refused to leave behind the dogs that have become their closest companions, with an Eastern Cape animal welfare organisation stepping in to help reunite them with their beloved pets.

Chairperson of the St Francis Animal Rescue, Susan Rae Fox, said the organisation is assisting one of the men who is leaving to Malawi.

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The Malawian man has a six-year-old Africanis dog that he has raised since it was a puppy.

Fox said the man has made it clear that he will not leave South Africa without his dog.

He got the dog as a puppy and they are so close to each other. He has given what he could towards the funds being raised to fly the dog from Gqeberha to Malawi. The dog has been microchipped and vaccinated and is being measured for a transport crate.

“The owner has his family back home in Malawi and has been working here, and this has been his only companion.

“He is desperate to take the dog with him.

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“He will be leaving for Malawi by bus and will be reunited with the dog when he arrives,” said Fox.

She said about R13 000 has already been raised to help transport the dog.

The organisation is also assisting a documented Zimbabwean national who has sought refuge in a safe place for himself and his dog.

The man, who is documented, was forced to flee his home in fear.

Fox said the man was separated from his pet after being forced to flee the area.

The owner was chased from the area and left his dog with his brother. The dog was then attacked and sustained injuries to its face.

“The owner has since found a place to stay and has been reunited with his four-year-old dog,” she said.

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Meanwhile, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA said it has been monitoring the welfare of animals that could be left behind during the departures linked to the June 30 deadline.

In a post on its Facebook page, the organisation said inspectors had been visiting assembly points to determine whether anyone was leaving without making arrangements for their animals, urging pet owners not to abandon their companions.

Those who would like to assist can use the following banking details:
St Francis Animal Rescue
Standard Bank
Account number: 186532814