PET Rescue Isipingo is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating neglected and abused animals, with its most recent case involving a dog that had its foot cruelly cut off.

Nirvana Ramlall, the founder of the non-profit company, said that on August 19, she received a call from a concerned neighbour regarding the dog’s injured leg.

“I immediately sent my rescue partner, Narain Naidoo, to pick her up. The owner willingly surrendered her and was reported to the SPCA for negligence and cruelty. The vet reports suggest her foot was cut off, with the reason unknown. ‘Chicken’ was left to suffer like that for about three weeks until I got her. Her front left leg rotted off, leaving behind dry bone. She was immediately admitted to Montclair Animal Hospital under the best care and watchful eyes of Dr Yesh Govender. Her current vet bills have already exceeded R12 000 and continue to rise,” she said.

Chicken had her leg amputated and was discharged on August 27. “She will come home with me for rehabilitation where she will have my love and devotion. I pray that I find a special family for my very special girl once she is ready,” said Ramlall.

Passionate about animals

Her work in animal welfare is both passionate and relentless. “Over the past five years, I have dealt with a lot of neglected, abused, abandoned and starving animals. The financial burden of veterinary bills, which often run into the thousands weekly, is substantial. We persevere through all the gore we encounter as we know all animals deserve love and care. Once healthy, we find them good forever homes,” she said.

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Ramlall also offers pet education to the community and does pet-care talks in schools and social gatherings around the province.

“My rescue partners, Narain and Lalitha Mahadow, have feeding stations all around Isipingo where our friendly, homeless dogs gather, eagerly waiting for at least one meal every two days. I network for assistance through social media,” she said.

To sustain this vital work, the team is seeking public support in the form of donations for vet bills, food, medicines and other necessary items.

For more information, to donate or to find out how you can help, visit the Facebook page, Pet Rescue Isipingo, or contact 062 633 0544.

Alternatively, monetary donations can be made into the following bank account: Pet Rescue Isipingo NPC, Nedbank current account number: 1251337376, Swift key: NEDSZAJJ, Reference: vet bill. Proof of payment is to be emailed to petrescueisipingo@gmail.com

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