All in a good cause

Some would have noticed posters around the village appealing to employers to encourage their staff to take their puppies, and other pets, to the St Francis Animal Rescue outreach that is held in Sea Vista on a Thursday afternoon. The reason for this appeal is that it appears there has been an outbreak of Distemper and Parvo in the township and it is imperative that as many puppies are inoculated to try and kerb the spread. Dr Nerine Botha of Aloe veterinary clinic will be present to administer the inoculations.

The vast majority of those dogs that are brought to the weekly outreaches are in excellent condition with many pet owners becoming regular visitors. Education is very much part of the programme and it is not unusual to attend anything up to sixty dogs of an afternoon. The importance of proper feeding and care of dogs is uppermost and several local shops have become outlets for the sale of discounted dog and cat food where some 100 bags of dog food and 30 bags of cat food are now being sold weekly.

But sadly this is only a drop in the ocean of what needs to be done and after the recent shack fires in the informal settlement areas (China Town). Two St Francis Animal Rescue volunteers accompanied by a local community member recently ventured deep into shack land after reports of several extremely undernourished and injured dogs. This has given rise to a new initiative where volunteers, accompanied by a local Sea Vista community member, are making regular visits to these previously neglected areas of the township educating owners and feeding dogs. Part of the programme is also to encourage owners in these destitute areas to allow their dogs to be sterilised and to allow the many puppies that are being born weekly to be given up for adoption. To this end no animals or puppies are removed or taken to be sterilized or even treated without the owner’s written consent and only in cases of extreme neglect are the SPCA asked to assist or intervene.

Presently the St Francis Animal Rescue volunteers work from the boot of their cars and a long term desire is to eventually develop a permanent animal shelter from where the rescue team could better assist in the care of Sea Vista pets. A start to making this dream come true has recently been kick started through the generosity of Fasie and Fiona Malherbe of Cape St Francis Resort who have put together a Rock ‘n Roll evening to be held at the resort on Saturday 19th November. A truly fun evening of music from the 60’s and 70’s is promised with two bands playing some of those golden oldies from possibly the greatest music era ever. In keeping with the rock ‘n roll theme a 60’s dinner of hamburgers and ice cream, reminiscent of the “Fonz – Happy Days” era, will be served with a choice of beef, chicken and salad burgers being served.

The resort is fully sponsoring the evening and all proceeds are going towards the shelter. Fasie has already approached local Ward 12 DA Councillor Ben Rheeder to find a suitable area within Sea Vista where the shelter could be built and has approached Humansdorp architect Chris Milne who has drawn up concept drawings of the facility.

All local St Francis residents are invited no matter you age and Baby Boomers are especially welcome, to join in what promises to be a truly fun and memorable evening. Tickets to the evening are available both from the resort and from Kouga Print in the village. Come and join in the fun and re-live those “HAPPY DAYS”!

Tables of ten can be booked and as St Francis Animal Rescue is a registered Non-Profit Organisation you contribution can be claimed back from your tax so come and join the party! Table bookings can be made with Riekie Minnie at the Resort on 042 298 0054

Watch some fun from those good old days!