News24 | Cape Town storm: About 30 animals in distress across the city rescued amid heavy downpours

Animal welfare organisations are out in full force rescuing animals amid heavy rains in Cape Town.

• Several animals have been rescued amidst heavy rain in parts of Cape Town.
• Dogs, cats, rabbits and cattle are among the animals rescued since Wednesday.
• The Animal Welfare Society said six puppies died during the inclement weather.

Dogs, cats, rabbits and cattle were among about 30 distressed animals the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and Animal Welfare Society (AWS) rescued amid heavy downpours on the Cape Flats. And the SPCA anticipates more rescues as the cold, wet weather persists over the weekend.

AWS spokesperson Allan Perrins said teams managed to rescue several dogs, including puppies, and rabbits from drowning and dying from hypothermia on Thursday evening.

“We focused on a number of low-lying informal settlements on the Cape Flats with a focus on Pine Acre Farm informal settlement, that is behind the Ottery cemetery, and Kampies opposite the Philippi SAPS station.

“Things were quite hectic and a lot of the animals were in serious need of shelter and food and the necessary help to nurse them to good health in this cold weather,” he said.

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According to Perrins, the Pine Acre Farm community comprises around 80 corrugated iron shacks. The area was flooded when AWS arrived.

Perrins said:

SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham said the organisation would continue to liaise with the City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre to ensure that the SPCA could respond to any crises as efficiently as possible.

“We have moved farm animals to higher ground and actively sought out animals exposed to the elements and those living on chains, who will have no chance of escape should flooding escalate.

“We’re also actively monitoring canals close to informal farming areas,” Abraham added.

She said teams would remain on high alert as wet weather conditions persist.

“If flooding escalates, wildlife may also be displaced, we generally see porcupines flooded from their storm water drain homes or snakes flooded from their dens and baby birds blown from their nests, so we’re keeping an eye out for that as well,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha said the torrential rains had left parts of the area submerged, with animals fending for themselves.

“Homes are knee-deep in floodwater, and countless pets have been left stranded, shivering, and vulnerable to the elements,” said spokesperson Marcelle du Plessis.

She said the organisation’s field team had been working around the clock, wading through flooded streets to find and help animals in distress.

“We’ve found dogs chained in the rain, cats soaked and hiding under rubble, and families doing their best to protect their beloved pets with the little they have,” she added.

The clinic is appealing to the public for emergency donations to fund the ongoing rescue and relief efforts.

In addition to rescuing animals, the team is distributing food parcels, blankets, and kennels to pet owners in need.

“We will continue patrolling during the storm and throughout the winter. We will not let any pet be forgotten,” Du Plessis added.

To report wild or domestic animals in distress, contact 021 700 4158/9.