Animal rescuer on the verge of giving up
The local animal rescue, Home4Paws, is struggling to keep its doors open due to financial difficulties.
Cathy Schutte, the founder of Home4Paws and a local animal rescue Samaritan, has sent out a plea asking the public for donations or to pay the Home4Paws veterinarian bills directly.
After nearly seven years as the sole non-profit organisation for animal rescue in the
area, Schutte is on the brink of throwing in the towel.
On Monday October 11, she visited the offices of Steelburger/Lydenburg News
after the plea of her dire situation had become known. With her was one of her latest rescue efforts, Moses, a dog.
His leg was amputated on Monday after he was rescued in Steelpoort. A friend of Schutte, Michelle Munnik, agreed to foster him.
Although the veterinarians have agreed to charge Schutte SPCA rates when possible, the invoice for the leg amputation was still R7 500.
“You can just imagine what my bills will be if our wonderful veterinarians in Lydenburg didn’t assist me. They are always prepared to help,” said Schutte.
Also read: Resurfacing still underway and a hindrance
She posted the following letter on the Facebook and WhatsApp groups, and it circulated at a rapid speed:
“Firstly, I am not the SPCA for unwanted pets. Secondly, I am not a veterinarian. Thirdly, I do not get any veterinarian consultations or medications for free. Fourthly, my office hours are the same as any other shelter, 09:00 till 16:00. I have always helped people with sick animals because I care. I am not going to do it anymore. People owe me more than R18 000. I take their animals for treatment and it is added to my account. I then wait in vain for them to reimburse me. I am struggling to keep my head above water. Lydenburg residents need to get involved and solve their problems. Anybody who wants to judge me should walk a mile in my shoes.”
After her letter was shared, several people volunteered and motivated one another to donate to Schutte. Had they kept their promises on the groups, it would have totaled R3 000 by Monday morning. But Schutte only has R34 in her bank account.
Schutte thanked Pick n Pay Family for always having a shopping trolley available in which clients can donate purchased cat and dog food. At times her own Nissan Bantam vehicle does not function, and Toinette Finley-Keel makes her vehicle available to Schutte.
Schutte transports rescued dogs to other shelters in Gauteng regularly. She also rescues animals and finds foster families in Burgersfort, Steelpoort, Ohrigstad, and Dullstroom. Another Good Samaritan is Jenny Riley, and there are others who wish to remain anonymous.
“My friends know who they are. Some businesses help to fix my bakkie at no cost.
Thank you. The Lydenburg community should start taking responsibility for their animals. I go out alone to these rescues. I have 40 dogs in the shelter that I need to feed. Nobody wants to adopt them. I am at my wit’s end.
“People abandon their dogs when they move to another town. The neighbours
phone me to come and take the dog. I am selling second-hand items that are donated to Home4Paws to raise some money. I am considering euthanising at least 20 of the dogs before December, although it breaks my heart. They are wonderful dogs that just need a good home,” continued Schutte.
For more information, phone Schutte on 082 462 5754.
