Rescue dog Chaka needs a new home

WHEN Daniel Saulez spotted a severely emaciated dog in Karkloof in January this year near Sappi Forest, he chatted to the workers who live in the area and was told that although he is a friendly dog, the people around there ‘don’t like dogs’.

A few days later he spotted the dog again but this time interacted with him. the dog was friendly and happy to get into his vehicle. Daniel took him home that afternoon. “We named him Charka after the charcoal brand and somewhere along the line it became Chaka,” said Daniel.

Chaka was taken to a vet the next day and found to have no microchip. He was in surprisingly good health despite being severely underweight and having a slight case of mange. He weighed 12kgs. “We have loved seeing this boy’s sweet temperament. He is incredibly sweet and patient with our baby boy, absolutely adores all humans and thrives on attention.

He is super friendly and loves playing with our dogs,” said Daniel’s wife and Chaka’s current foster mom, Ilana. The Saulez family diligently cared for the severely malnourished Chaka, until they started to see a change, “Over the past month and a bit this boy has transformed into a beautiful dog and he is looking healthier by the day,” said Ilana.

Chaka has recently been taken to the vet to be neutered, the family had to wait for him to weigh enough before the procedure could be arranged. Daniel and Ilana reported that he is doing much better, “he is now weighing in at 24kgs. We are so proud to see how far he’s come,” said Daniel.

On Sunday, February 27, Serendipity Rescue, a local NPO that specialises in dog rescue and adoption had a fund raising event where people could bring their dogs or come to see the dogs up for adoption. The family was invited to the event by animal enthusiast and the organisation’s head, Nicole Jack, “We asked his foster family to bring him through in the hopes someone would meet him and fall in love with him like we all have.

What a goof! I think he did incredibly well with all the noise and people around him.” “He absolutely loved the attention. He would do well as either the only dog in the home or with a female his own size or bigger that’s social, someone he can play with,” said Jack.

The Sualez family said that they have loved being part of his journey, but would like for him to find a home where he could have more undivided attention and be adored by his forever family. “He would need to sleep indoors and be a part of the family unit. All of our dogs are fully innoculated/chipped and sterilised.

We charge an adoption fee but this is merely to cover expenses. We would do a home inspection if someone wanted to adopt him. And if there is another dog on the property we would need them to meet to make sure they get along,” said the animal lover.

Chaka is estimated to be between a year and 18 months. If you would like to adopt Chaka contact Nicole on – 083 780 1664 or email Serindipittyrescue@gmail.com.