DURBAN – The Kloof and Highway SPCA said Christmas came early for Buddy Loadshedding, now known as Basil, who has gone to his new family.
Basil was rescued on the M19 after he was hit by a car.
Kloof and Highway SPCA manager Barbara Patrick said Basil’s prognosis was not great, and members of the public immediately started fundraising for him.
“I phoned Dr Steve Wimberley at Westville Veterinary Hospital and he said they would help us,” Patrick said.
“Thanks to the incredible team at Westville Veterinary Hospital who did his operation and took extra good care of him, to all the generous donors who contributed to his medical care… and to Andreas Mathios and other members of the public who stopped on the M19 to help.”
Patrick said Inspectors Petros Simamane and Petra Abrams responded to the call immediately, and rushed Basil to the SPCA clinic where he was stabilised overnight before being transferred to Westville Veterinary Hospital.
“Basil has been adopted by a special family and is looking forward to being spoilt by them,” Patrick said.
She also thanked everyone for making her Christmas happier.
When Basil was run down, Marshall Security spokesperson Andreas Mathios said Marshall Security’s community support team on route to a call-out in the La Lucia area spotted a dog that had been hit by a car on the M19 freeway, just outside of Pinetown.
The dog was in a serious condition. He said the Kloof and Highway SPCA were notified and dispatched to the scene.
On Thursday, Mathios said he was absolutely overwhelmed by the response from the community that came together to donate funds towards the dogs welfare.
“The fact that it found a home is also very touching given the circumstances that that dog was on death row seconds before I arrived,” Mathios said.
“What amazes me the most is how people who did not know each other came together on that specific day to help this animal and for me that is the most touching part about helping animals and rescuing them from such a fate. That dog’s life would have ended within minutes had it not been for people coming together at the right place at the right time and I am just so happy that the dog has found a happy ever after home,” Mathios said.
He said what also stood out for him was the way the Westville vet, the staff and everybody rallied around the dog to make sure that in the best interest of the dog, the right decisions were made at the right time.
“It was never about the money, but the love for the animal that was seconds away from being taken out by the traffic that was arriving around that corner that morning on the M19 when I was on my way to work,” Mathios said.
He added that during the Covid-19 pandemic where funds were already stretched, businesses and individuals came together to make sure that the best outcome for the dog was made available.
“It’s a true Christmas spirit… it’s a real miracle.”
Daily News