Give Roxy a second chance at a happy life

She had been living on the streets of Simmerfield as a stray for quite a while. No one knows how long.

Roxy, a white Swiss shepherd, slept under a shrub at night and roamed the streets during the day.

The residents of the area knew her and would put out food and water for her on the pavement regularly.

She came and went as she pleased, but generally stayed around the same area, near Hollins, Poinsettia and Wychwood roads.

She harmed no one but didn’t trust humans one little bit.

Roxy was in good condition, but somewhat thin from living on the road.

Cathy Valente-Parkinson, treasurer and member of the Germiston and Bedfordview SPCA and Merril Heyns, supporter of the SPCA, first spotted her on the road.

At first, they tried to lure her close with treats in order to catch her and take her to the SPCA.

“She was very skittish around humans and it was impossible to get close enough to her to even touch her, never mind getting a leash around her,” said Cathy.

“We named her Roxy because she was forever hiding amongst rocks and shrubs on pavements.”

Cathy and Merril returned several times over the next few days to try to befriend Roxy, but with little success.

“She would not allow anyone to come close enough to touch her and she would not even take a treat from anyone’s hand,” said Cathy.

“We were on the verge of giving up and one day brought a kennel from the SPCA for Roxy and left it on the side of the road where she usually spent the night.

“If we couldn’t catch her, at least we could provide her some shelter from the elements.”

After five frustrating days of failing to catch her, Cathy came back for one last attempt.

This time she was joined by two SPCA staff members, Denise Govender and trainee inspector Thabang Mabasa.

With the help of a friendly resident, Lebo Mothiba, and some treats they managed to lure Roxy into Lebo’s front garden and closed her in.

Between the four of them and with the help of a dog catching net, they finally managed to corner Roxy and catch her.

Roxy was placed in the SPCA’s pound.

“She didn’t mind being in the kennel or being around other dogs, but she was still terrified of humans.

“The SPCA staff spent long hours in Roxy’s kennel over several weeks and gradually gained her trust,” said Cathy.

“Roxy is still a little uncertain around strangers, but once she gets to know a person, she is playful, loving and absolutely adorable.

“She is friendly with other dogs too.

“Roxy is currently waiting in the kennels for someone understanding and patient to adopt her. “She hasn’t had an easy life but is ready to be some lucky person’s new best friend.”

To go in a little screen:

Stray animals – what to do:

Catching strays is time-consuming and never easy.

Sometimes chasing them near traffic can simply endanger their lives.

The Germiston SPCA asks members of the community to be understanding when it comes to reporting strays.

Often there are other animals in more immediate danger, which takes priority for inspectors.

The best thing to do is to try to get the animal into a confined space, such as a front garden, before calling the SPCA to come and catch the animal.

The SPCA relies on funding from the community it serves to continue the work it does.

The SPCA is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation.

Donations from the public are needed to pay the salaries of inspectors responsible for investigating animal cruelty, as well as kennel hands responsible for feeding, cleaning and taking care of the animals in the kennels.

Other big expenses include fuel and other motor vehicle expenses and vet fees for sterilisations and treatment of animals.

Email admin@spcagermiston.co.za to ask about setting up a monthly debit order or for the society’s banking details.

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