It’s 18 May today, meaning the birthday of Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse has arrived and it’s time to see if his birthday wish came true. Every year, the chief inspector celebrates his by launching a campaign in the hopes of raising funds for the many un-caped heroes of the SPCA and the animals in need under their care.
This year, the initiative was dedicated to Toby, a recently rescued dog who escaped the clutches of animal cruelty but faces a long and tough road to recovery.
Also read: Help save Toby to make SPCA chief inspector’s birthday wish come true
Having reached 201% (R90 500) of the Back-A-Buddy campaign‘s R45 000 goal, it suffices to say there’s much to celebrate and Inspector Pieterse’s birthday wish has more than been fulfilled.
‘With the loving support of our team here at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, your generous donations and encouraging words of love, Toby has tipped the scales today at 14.02kg and is well on the road to recovery,’ announced the animal welfare organisation.
An emaciated Toby arrived at the SPCA earlier this month with a body score of 1/5 and starvation anaemia as a result of the cruelty he was subjected to by his owner.
‘We are incredibly grateful for the heroes who stepped up and donated to make our chief inspector’s birthday wish come true,’ the SPCA added. ‘Animal Rescue takes a village and our village didn’t just show up – you showed off!’
Shortly after the birthday initiative’s launch, the fight for justice against animal cruelty continued on 10 May, when Toby’s owner was arrested for contraventions of the Animal Protection Act No. 71 of 1962.
‘The arrest followed the owner’s failure to comply with a warning issued by Inspector Jeffrey Mfini with respect to improving the welfare of the remaining dog on the property,’ explained SPCA.
‘Toby’s owner will now face criminal charges and answer to the court for the cruel treatment of Toby and the neglect of Blikkies, whose severely matted coat could only have been causing him considerable discomfort and pain.’
Blikkies – the remaining dog on the property in Lavender Hill – was subsequently rescued and taken into the care of the animal organisation where he was treated to a ‘lavish pampering session’.
‘With each brush stroke [during the bath], hundreds of dead fleas bid farewell, but unfortunately, it wasn’t just a cleaner coat that emerged,’ said the organisation.
Red and raw patches were found on Blikkie’s skin as well as a painful wound on his hip which had resulted from the severely matted coat. A ‘nobbly spine’ was also revealed after the groom, indicating that he too was not getting enough to eat.
In addition to Toby’s road to recovery, the SPCA said the whopping R90 500 raised will be used to ‘help Toby, Blikkies and many more animals still in heartbreaking circumstances’.
Happy Birthday Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse and thank you for all that you do for these precious animals who deserve nothing but love and happiness!
For further updates on Toby and Blikkie’s recovery, follow the story here.
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Picture: Cape of Good Hope SPCA
