Heartbreaking scenes in Refengkgotso, Deneysville
The SPCA is battling to save animals from the freezing cold. Many have died and they are working hard to get others to safety.
DENEYSVILLE – The SPCA Vereeniging is currently helping to save animals who are suffering in Refengkgotso, Deneysville.
Late yesterday afternoon, they received a complaint about animals dying in the area, and inspectors were sent to investigate.
What they found was heartbreaking. Animals have succumbed to prolonged exposure to the cold and wet conditions. In some cases, strong winds destroyed the shelters available to them. Other animals had no access to shelter and were left completely exposed to the rain, cold and extreme wind.
The severe weather is continuing, leaving surviving animals exposed and extremely vulnerable.
The SPCA says: “Our entire Inspectorate team, accompanied by the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA), are back in the area this morning, providing emergency relief.
Everywhere they go, they are met with devastation. The carcasses of cattle are scattered throughout the area. Some animals are still alive but urgently require intervention, while many others have already succumbed to the extreme cold, heavy rain, and strong winds.
Our team is helping livestock owners install shade cloth as windbreaks to protect surviving animals from the bitterly cold wind. Others are also erecting temporary shelters and repairing structures destroyed by the storm.
The roads have become inaccessible to our small bakkies, forcing our inspectors to continue on foot from farm to farm. Despite the difficult conditions, they remain committed to reaching as many animals as possible.” Please visit the SPCA & VANDERBIJLPARK Facebook page to see how you can assist with donations.
