A dog’s life is her life: meet Charmaine the dog whisperer
She has been a last resort to the stray animals of Krugersdorp. Meet the 9th Day Animal Shelter's founder.
She was not always like this, but today she cannot turn a blind eye to a stray dog passing her on the street.
What has changed?
Charmaine Booysens from the 9th Day Animals Shelter said she is not exactly sure, but this is her life now and it will stay this way.
After she and her husband had run their own print and copy business, Charmaine opened a shelter in January where they take in stray animals from all walks of life.
The most famous is Bismarck, a dog that was found in Oatlands with puncture wounds and bruises, allegedly from being used as a bait dog in dog fighting competitions. Another puppy hid in a storm-water drain behind President Square and Charmaine worked day and night to try and save it, which she eventually did.
“Sometimes I think I’m going mad. I don’t know what sane person would be prepared to do what I am doing,” she told the News during a recent visit to the Roodekruin Veterinary Clinic where Bismarck is being treated.
But the thousands of supporters following Charmaine and Bismarcks’ story on the shelter’s Facebook page feel she is the community’s saving grace.
Charmaine not only has a supportive husband of 13 years and a 12-year-old daughter, she also supports more than 100 dogs at a shelter that is close to crumbling.
“Funding definitely is the most difficult aspect of doing this. The entire existence of the dogs depends on funding you have no control over,” she said.
And as the shelter is becoming more and more of a household name, with the animals flooding in at the same rate. People do not know where else to take stray dogs, so The 9th Day has become the final destination.
Sometimes Charmaine is overwhelmed, but wagging tails make it all worthwhile.
But she was not always as compassionate towards dogs as she is now. Her family always had pets but she never thought too much of them.
“I think it might have started when my neighbour’s dog was left in the cold, whining and dripping wet. I helped the dog to get over the wall into our yard so that it could feel safe,” she recalled.
The dog rescue bug possibly bit her then, starting a series of events that got her to who she is now – Krugersdorp’s animal whisperer and rescuer.
If you would like to donate building material for the new shelter kennels or make a much-needed donation, contact Charmaine on 082 924 9337.
Related articles:
• Stuck puppy has been rescued
• Help! Or shelter will close doors
• [PHOTOS] Bait dog’s road to recovery
