Unsung Heroes
As an animal lover I have always supported the cause by donating old clothes, donating money, buying raffle tickets etc. The “easy” option.
What I experienced on Sunday 6 May at the PAWS Spay Day held at Simunye in Kwanokthula was humbling in the extreme. I must, first pay tribute to Janet Hampson of Horse and Hound for the organisation of Vets and medical assistants and indeed, for the raising of the funds which made this day possible.
Our chairperson of PAWS Di Butlin rose at 04H30, took a team of workers to clean and sterilize the hall. She also ensured that the loo’s had sterilizing soap and fresh towels.
Among less than sanitary condition, Di worked wonders in getting the venue viable. Holding cages were erected. Robert, Heidi and her helpers and Godfrey Bass were dispatched into the community to bring in animals for neutering. At 08H00 the gate was opened, chairs were available to owners and families who brought their beloved pets to bed spayed.
From registration, headed up by Hedy Carmody, owners took their animals to be vaccinated and de-wormed only or, further, for their pre-meds in anticipation of spaying / neutering, by a team headed up by Wendy Abbott and Mandy Chant. Owners were received at the temporary enclosures b willing volunteers who assisted them in calming, stroking and talking to the pets until they were suitably wobbly and sleepy enough to be picked up held and carried by yet more volunteers to the prep section.
One volunteer David-Hall Green, we discovered could speak Xhosa, he was indispensable in explaining that, in fact, the pets would sleep, be operated on, and would only be able to be taken home about 2 to 2 and half hours later. There was a choice to be made: go home, away or to church and return later, or remain. The majority remained, waiting for their loved ones to “come around”. It was hart warming to witness. One owner, Kenneth, was intending to walk with his dog at this stage a lead-weight – from Kwano to New Horizons – about 2 kms! He was given transport by PAWS. Such is the devotion and good intention still out there.
Once the dogs and cats had had their pre-meds, they were carried by volunteers to the next station-headed up by Janet Hampson and her team of volunteers – where they were shaved, sterilized and prepped for the operation. Then a team of six Veterinary Surgeons, headed up by Doctors. Brendon Tindall and Steph Nel and ably teamed up with Kat Davis, Laura Snyman, Hilana Steyn and Natalie Genlloud got to work.
All of these vets gave up their valuable free time to spay / neuter for PAWS. These surgeons stood from 08H00 until past 13H00 – More than 5 hours I operation! Here PAWS acknowledges the incredible input had from KAWS (Knysna Animal Welfare) over the years with their help in setting up and assisting us with spay clinics. The hall looked like an image from a war movie. On the floor were make-shift beds – all towels and blankets donated by kind grace of the Plett Community. They lay, tongues protruding from the sides of their mouths, comfortable on these makeshift beds and covered in warm towels and blankets.
When they came round they shivered in shock, but willing volunteers were there to soothe them and talk them through the confusion of their awakening and the pain in their nether regions. When they were ready, they were given to their owners in the donated blankets and towels, with indicators of post operative care and a date on which to return their pets to have stitches removed by Robert of PAWS when he dips in Kwano on Monday 21 May and 22 May.
During the proceedings of this amazing day – God sent – arrived an emaciated, beyond damaged four – legged child on the perimeters of the premises. Wendy and Robert spent much time in luring this poor child and eventually gathered it, all the while screaming and delivered it from misery to a place free from starvation and pain.
We were also very happy to welcome the visit by Mr Andile Sakati, Plett’s Chief of Law Enforcement and Municipal Security, who came to observe the Spay Day proceedings in solidarity with the cause of Animal Welfare in Bitou
I have always acknowledged the “good works” done in our community but, having personally witnessed that which occurred on Sunday at Simunye – I am simply AWESTRUCK!! Thank you to all of you have so much agony to make it BETTER!
May the choirs of angels sing in exultation to all you unsung heroes!
Michelle