Local a true saint to the neglected
Hannes Potgieter, an animal lover and writer says he cannot stand the sight of animals being abused and neglected. This is why he has decided to open an animal shelter for the town and its surrounding areas - including Burgersfort, Steelpoort and Ohrigstad
LYDENBURG – Hannes Potgieter, an animal lover and writer says he cannot stand the sight of animals being abused and neglected. This is why he has decided to open an animal shelter for the town and its surrounding areas – including Burgersfort, Steelpoort and Ohrigstad.
Since his childhood, Potgieter loved animals and enjoyed working with them.
In 2004, he started the Lydenburg Animal Protection and Rescue (Lapsar) after reading an article in Steelburger/Lydenburg News about a municipal worker dragging a Rottweiler behind a tractor to the garbage dump. The story infuriated him and it inspired Potgieter to start the animal shelter where abandoned animals could have a safe place to stay.
In 2007, Potgieter relocated to Cape Town where he wrote and published his first book in 2011 and his second in 2015. He used his writing to cope with the tragic passing away of his beloved mother. After 10 years in Cape Town, he returned to Lydenburg.
“When I returned to town, people who recognised me from Lapsar asked me to become involved in the protection of animals again, as this was becoming a serious problem in town. I saw the need for another shelter and decided to use the funds I made with my books to start a new one that would also help other areas such as Burgersfort, Steelpoort and Ohrigstad. The shelter will accommodate all types of animals, from cats and dogs to birds and horses.”
He has obtained a piece of land at Potloodspruit where he will build the kennels as soon as possible.
Potgieter is also an inspector at Riverside Wildlife Rehabilitation and Environmental Education Centre.
“I have a lot of patience when working with animals. There is no better reward than to earn the trust of an abused animal,” he added.
If individuals or businesses would like to make donations towards the animal shelter, contact Potgieter on 072-360-6253. They are also in serious need of building material to complete the shelter.
Vox pop question: Is there a high demand in our area for an animal shelter?
