Muldersdrift non-profit appeals for funds to save injured dog
A local animal clinic steps in with a discounted rate to help cover crucial surgery for a four-legged family member.
A Muldersdrift-based non-profit organisation, We Are Changing Lives, urgently needs funds to save Blackie the dog.
Wendy Smith, director of We Are Changing Lives, said the organisation assists with poverty alleviation in Roodepoort and Krugersdorp.
“One of the families we help contacted me when they saw a Facebook post of the dog,” said Smith.
“They live a couple of houses away from Blackie’s owners. They have previously told me that the dog gets tied up and doesn’t get fed. My husband bought food for another dog also just a couple of houses down, so I left it with the family and asked them if they could please feed Blackie and the dog a couple of houses down.”
When Smith saw the post, she could not leave the dog, as the post stated that the dog’s leg had been broken for some time already. She drove to the address and took Blackie and her three puppies to the vet.
“Blackie’s leg has been broken for too long and cannot be fixed, not even if they put a plate in. The only option is to amputate her leg. Some people say I must take Blackie to the vet, but she will probably just be euthanised as they already have too many dogs to take care of. We couldn’t do that.”
To amputate Blackie’s leg will cost between R8 000 and R10 000, but a local animal clinic said they will help them for R4 500.
“Euthanisation is not a choice for us,” she stated.
“The puppies are four weeks old, and according to the clinic, still need their mother,” said Smith. “The puppies were infested with ticks, fleas and mites, and they have been treated. They are also being weaned because Blackie will go for surgery tomorrow.”
Smith started a BackaBuddy campaign with the hopes of raising enough money to pay for Blackie’s surgery, but by September 28, when the surgery was scheduled, only R300 had been raised.
The operation was postponed to September 30, with Smith stating it will happen regardless of how much is raised, trusting they will be able to make a decent first payment. If more than R4 500 is raised, Blackie will be neutered and the pups will receive their vaccinations when the time comes.
