Durban - Scores of animals, terrified by fireworks on New Year’s Eve, were still being collected by animal shelters.
The Kloof and Highway SPCA said 18 stray dogs had been brought in.
One had a spinal injury, another had a limp and 12 of the dogs had been reported missing.
Kloof SPCA spokeswoman Barbara Laubscher said on Thursday that at least two stray dogs and one stray cat were believed to have been hit by cars.
“One of our inspectors attended an emergency where a dog was stuck on the gate and had slight injuries.
“The bangs really spook the animals and sometimes in their attempt to flee they get involved in such accidents,” she said.
When the Mercury visited the centre on Thursday, pet owners waited anxiously to find out if their missing dogs had been rescued. Ten dogs were reunited with their owners.
Gillitts resident Nigel Hojem was overjoyed to be reunited with his cross terrier Jack Russell, Sparkie.
“We got home after 12am and he wasn’t there. Everyone was panicking because we didn’t know whether he had been injured, but we are happy that he is okay,” said Hojem.
An emotional Kylie Bergset, was brought to tears when she was reunited with her 9-year old labrador, Tyren.
She said she only discovered in the morning that he was not home.
“Thoughtful members of the community also popped in to donate food for the animals in our care. We’re so grateful for this support and to those who brought in strays,” Laubscher said.
She warned pet owners to remain cautious over the next few days as fireworks could be set off sporadically.
The Amanzimtoti SPCA’s Collin Cele said two strays were brought to the centre on Wednesday night, but they were expecting more to come in.
“We are also waiting for people to report their pets missing as we expect things to only slow down by Monday.”
He urged owners to report missing pets at their local SPCA branches.
In Pietermaritzburg, the SPCA kennels were full with stray dogs on Thursday, and plans had to be made to accommodate more dogs in trailers.
SPCA manager Alastair Sinclair said five of the dogs had been hit by cars.
He said the rain on New Year’s Eve and on Thursday had subdued some of the fireworks revelry, but the fireworks would probably continue over the next few days.
“The people who did not set off their fireworks on Wednesday will do so tonight (Thursday night) and my fear is that if it rains again, they will do so at the weekend.”
The Mercury