Help Animal Ambulance raise funds to pay for vet bills, car repairs
Their vehicle got damaged when chasing after a rabid dog which escaped quarantine. They also had to vaccinate all 136 dogs on their premises to prevent further incidents.
A pursuit by the Animal ambulance in finding one of their rescues that had turned rabid and escaped quarantine turned into tragedy as the ambulance hit something that damaged all four its tyres.
The repairs to the ambulance require rims, fitment and wheel alignment.
One of their rescue dogs had to be put to sleep after he tested positive for rabies, which resulted in the organisation having to administer rabies booster vaccinations for all 136 dogs on their premises to prevent further incidents.
Rabies is a deadly virus usually spread through an animal bite.
Symptoms include fever, headache, excess salivation, muscle spasms, paralysis and mental confusion.
There is no specific treatment for rabies in animals. Once symptoms appear, it’s nearly always fatal.
The organisation explained that Simba (rescue dog) started showing unusual behaviour and was agitated with the other dogs, which is when they decided to separate him as his behaviour was uncontrollable.
Maria Phelan added that in the early hours of the morning, Simba was completely rabid and broke the door as well as the window to escape his quarantine and was later contained and assessed by a vet.
“Five of the new rescues that were taken in had minor scratches which could have been from Simba’s teeth. They were also inspected by the vet.”
Animal Ambulance highlighted that all dogs were vaccinated in September with the 5-in-1 and the rabies vaccination.
“Simba was only rescued in November and so did not form part of the vaccination drive but was vaccinated in January.
“He already contracted the virus before we rescued him. Rabies can stay dormant anywhere from four weeks to 18 months if they had never been vaccinated before they start showing signs of the disease,” said Phelan.
In light of the recent rabies infection at the organisation, the SPCA had made a requirement for 10 isolation runners to be built for sick animals.
The Animal Ambulance based in the north of Pretoria started a fundraiser to raise funds for vet bills and car repairs that would amount to over R50 000.
Several fundraising initiatives had been put in place which includes an R50 donation on their Quicket link can make a difference. There are 44 tickets available: www.qkt.io/AAVETBILLS
Animal lovers can also come and join them for a unique experience that will replenish your soul while you spend a morning with the fur kids at Animal Ambulance in Pretoria North
There are several dates available in April and two booking options:
– R190pp – Entrance + Full Breakfast
– R100pp – Entrance Only (No Food Included)
Send an SMS to Maria on 083 241 4452 to make your booking.
Accommodation can be arranged if need be.
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