WATCH: Alberton animal rescue group seeks loving home for dog found beside R59

A dog found barely able to move beside the R59 is recovering under veterinary care after Animal Protection Network (APN) founder Zuerina Venter stopped to rescue him.

The organisation is now looking for a loving home for the dog, named Baster, while appealing for continued community support.

Venter, who lives on a plot in Three Rivers and cares for 34 dogs, was travelling to Alberton with two dogs she was taking to the vet when she spotted Baster lying in a roadside ditch near Nampak.

“I saw the dog lift his head, but the body was not moving,” she said.

Venter pulled over on the highway and reversed to reach the dog. When she approached him, she could see he was breathing, but he could not stand.

“He wasn’t aggressive or anything. He was just lying. It looked almost like he was going to die,” she recalled.

With two dogs already in her bakkie, Venter called fellow APN member Chris Santangelo to help her lift the animal to safety. She said she waited about half an hour for him to arrive, while other motorists and cyclists passed without stopping to assist.

Santangelo eventually arrived, and the two managed to get Baster to safety before taking him to Paws in Motion in Second Avenue, Florentia, Alberton, for veterinary treatment.

Veterinary care and recovery

According to Dr Michelle Miller, who works at Paws in Motion, veterinary tests revealed that Baster had biliary, commonly known as tick-bite fever.

“His condition was complicated by autoimmune anaemia, and he required intensive treatment,” Miller said.

Venter said Baster responded positively after his initial treatment, giving his rescuers hope that he would recover.

“After an hour, he was done with the medication and treatment. He was standing. It was a miracle,” she said.

He also began eating again. However, after about a week of treatment, he suffered a setback and appeared critically ill once more.

Further antibiotics and treatment helped him regain his strength, and he continued fighting to survive.
Baster remains under veterinary care at Paws in Motion, where he is receiving attention while recovering. He is also on special food to help him regain the weight he lost.

Venter estimates that he is between five and seven years old. He was not microchipped when he was found, and his background remains unknown.

Although the possibility of abandonment cannot be ruled out, Venter said it was also possible that Baster had become lost or wandered away from a nearby property.

“We can’t speculate and say maybe someone dumped him,” she said.

Community support covers treatment

An appeal shared by APN on October 4 asked the public to help raise R3 300 towards Baster’s tick-bite fever treatment, castration and food.

Venter said the community responded generously, with the original amount paid in full and a further R2 000 donated towards his subsequent veterinary treatment.

She thanked Alberton residents for their generosity and support for animals in need.

While the initial fundraising target has been met, APN continues to need donations and assistance to care for the animals it supports.

Search for a permanent home

APN is looking for a foster home or permanent family where Baster can receive love, security and care.

Venter said the organisation conducts home inspections and uses adoption contracts for rescued animals and private rehoming to help ensure animals are placed in suitable homes.

“We just hope and pray he finds a loving home. We don’t want to let him down,” she said.

She described Baster as a gentle dog who is not aggressive and said he would benefit from being around people as he continues recovering.

Ongoing appeals for assistance

APN’s work extends beyond individual rescues. According to information provided by the organisation, its feeding scheme supports 70 dogs and 14 cats, in addition to the 34 dogs cared for by Venter on her plot.

The organisation also holds jumble sales using donated second-hand items to raise money towards veterinary bills.

APN is appealing for donations of dog and cat food to help feed animals in need.

It is also looking for sponsors for essential animal-care products, including deworming treatments and tick and flea products, as well as additional foster homes and volunteers.

Through its rescue, feeding and rehoming efforts, APN works with community members to assist animals that need care and help them find safe homes.

Residents who wish to support Animal Protection Network can contact the organisation on 082 929 9121 or make a donation using the following banking details:

Account name: Animal Protection Network (APN)

Bank: FNB

Branch code: 252242

Account number: 62693988770

Reference: Donor’s name

Donors are asked to email proof of payment to info@animalprotection.co.za so the organisation can acknowledge their contributions and allocate donations correctly.

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