SPCA Grahamstown (South Africa) helps people in their community take care of cats and dogs
- Animal-Kind International
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
SPCA Grahamstown completed their 2024 AKI grant project, but as we said in a previous AKI Blog post, that doesn't mean their AKI-funded work has ended. Thanks to a kind and generous AKI supporter, we were able to top-up their grant project and created the Good D.O.G. (Dogs of Grahamstown) Fund (which the dogs agreed to share with cats!).
The SPCA started using the Good D.O.G. Fund in December 2024 and we wrote in the January 2025 blog post about some of the dogs who were helped that 1st month. Michelle, who manages the fund told us, "It is truly a miracle-working fund for us."
Since the start of 2025, SPCA Grahamstown (South Africa) has been able to spay/neuter and provide free vet care for so many community cats and dogs! Their stories are heartwarming, most are happy and all end happily, some are about the sacrifice that their human families have made.
Each story deserves to be told in full, but here we can only give you a sample, all of them told to us by Michelle.
Pookie Gets a 2nd Chance from the Good D.O.G. Fund
When Trainee Inspector (now a full Inspector), Lee Matthews, from the SPCA Grahamstown was out on a call, she was approached by a young lady with a little black dog with its front leg in a makeshift splint. The lady explained that the dog had been injured a while back, they had fit a homemade splint, but she was concerned that the little dog was still not able to put any weight on her leg.
The SPCA Grahamstown took Pookie to the vet and sadly the x-rays revealed that the leg bone had set askew like a lightning bolt. There were only 2 options – euthanasia or amputation. The owner would not agree to euthanasia, nor did she have the money to pay for the amputation surgery.
Thankfully, the Good D.O.G. Fund stepped in and saved the day, little Pookie, and everyone’s hearts! Pookie’s broken leg was placed in a cast for support, until arrangements could be made for surgery and Pookie was placed in the care of the SPCA Grahamstown.
Pookie’s amputated leg wound healed very quickly. She stayed at the SPCA Grahamstown kennels for 2 weeks afterwards to recover and to be sterilized before going back home.
Then the SPCA received bad news – her owner had left town and was not able to take her back, plus Pookie was diagnosed with carpal laxity due to weakness in the digital flexor tendons! Pookie was surrendered to the SPCA Grahamstown, put on a special diet for her carpal laxity and before she could even be advertised for adoption, Pookie received an adoption application!
Pookie has settled into her new home with ease, she has 3 other doggy friends and a doting mom!
Thank you, Animal-Kind International supporters for making the impossible, possible!
The Extra Mile
Jeffrey and his owner arrived at the SPCA Grahamstown kennels (Eastern Cape, South Africa) early in the New Year, on foot, having walked over 8km from their home, up and down hills in the intense summer heat.
Jeffrey had been in an altercation with other dogs and had some nasty bite wounds on the back of his neck which needed to be attended to. Our staff cleaned the wounds, but it was clear that Jeffrey would need to see a vet for stitching and meds. Once more, the Good D.O.G. top-up funding received from Animal-Kind International, made the impossible, possible!
Jeffrey received the full package – wound clean and sutures, medication and the obligatory neuter, all covered by Animal-Kind International. Jeffrey returned to the SPCA kennels to stay for 10 days to have his wounds checked daily and to receive his medication. It has never happened before that outreach patients recovering in kennels receive visitors, but Jeffrey’s owner, with his other dog, walked again to the kennels to visit Jeffrey!
What excitement! Jeffrey was returned home by the SPCA Grahamstown staff a few days later, fully recovered, and so happy to be back home!
Lucy's Story!
The SPCA Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape was asked by the owners of Lucy to assist her as she had been hit by a motor vehicle when she slipped off her leash. Lucy was taken to the vet clinic for x-rays and our worst fears were confirmed – her leg could not be saved.
The family were given two options – amputation or euthanasia. Lucy comes from a home where she is dearly loved and her owners were devastated as they could not afford the surgery. Fortunately, the Good D.O.G. Fund stepped in to cover Lucy’s veterinary costs and Lucy’s life was saved!
After surgery Lucy returned to the SPCA kennels where she received post-op care and to wait for her sterilization date. There was no point in sending Lucy home unsterilized!
After a total of 17 days in the kennels, receiving care from the SPCA staff and medication hidden in delicious food, Lucy was sterilized and returned home to her very grateful family. A happy little “tripod” thanks to the kindness of the funder of the Good D.O.G. fund, making the impossible, possible!
And a kitty gets help from the Good D.O.G. Fund
And then, 7 more kitties!
Watch for more Good D.O.G. Fund recipients in upcoming AKI Blog articles!
