Durban - For 125 years, they have been heroes.
They’ve rescued tiny kittens and puppies trapped in pipes and drains, and given shelter, protection and rehabilitation to those who have no voice.
This month, the Durban and Coastal SPCA celebrates its 125 years of service to animals and education for people.
Back in 1897, the idea that animals are sentient beings, able to experience feelings such as boredom, frustration, fear and contentment, was scoffed at. Veterinary services were practically non-existent.
When the Anglo-Boer War broke out in 1899, more than 300 veterinarians came to South Africa with the British army. Some stayed on after the war to form the core of state veterinary departments and the first private practices.
The SPCA was formed to prevent cruelty to animals but, as Durban SPCA marketing manager Tanya Fleischer pointed out this week: “Our SPCA is so much more than just an animal shelter and adoption facility. We play a vital role in educating people – especially children – about the rights of all living creatures. We also strive for more severe penalties for perpetrators of cruelty.”
Durban and Coastal SPCA – now the largest in KZN – had humble beginnings in Sydney Road before moving to Cato Manor, where it stayed until taking charge of its modern premises in Springfield Park in 2008.
“We are really proud of our long history of providing welfare services to animals in Durban,” said Fleischer.
Animal lover Rose Couzens, who has worked for the organisation for 45 years, said she would not trade working with animals for anything.
“I enjoy my time here, I am very fond of animals, assisting in cleaning them and making sure they are well taken care of and that their living conditions are up to standard has been a great joy,” said Couzens.
“Washing, feeding and playing with the animals is always amazing. It is a good challenge. This is an environment where you have to love animals and be able to sacrifice your time to invest in animal welfare operations in the field, which involves direct communication with the public and local authorities,” said Couzens.
“Working here has helped me a lot. I have become absorbed in working with different people.”
Couzens worked at the old Cator Manor premises and said working conditions had improved from when she started working, as had the facilities for the animals.
“They used to have smaller rondavels for kennels, which have been replaced by larger facilities.”
Many of the rescues have made the news, but most are done with quiet care and efficiency.
Last year, a tiny puppy they named Toby was found wandering the streets of Phoenix. Even after it had been rescued, the little pup was so terrified of people, he hid behind the bed in his kennel and refused to come out. But with kind rehabilitation, Toby now enjoys a normal happy life in a perfect new home.
Then there was the St Bernard who was seen wandering around in the bush near Edgecombe for more than a month. He was eventually rescued and made the news in 1994 because he was the largest dog to be put up for adoption for some time.
SPCA staff also sometimes need some help from other emergency rescuers, as we found while combing through our newspaper archives.
Like the time in 1992 when SPCA Inspector Manie Steyn and fireman Owen Singh joined forces to rescue a kitten in Shearer Street in the Point.
With his neck wedged three storeys up in a building drainpipe, the little cat’s helpless wailing was heard by residents for a night before help arrived.
It fell two floors in the drain pipe before Steyn and Singh managed to save it, literally by the scruff of its neck.
“The actions of our SPCA founders in their determination to ‘speak for animals’ is truly remarkable. The same commitment and dedication has driven our organisation for the past 125 years, enabling us to weather some very difficult and challenging times and emerge as a dynamic body, recognised as the foremost authority on animal welfare,” said Fleischer.
The Independent on Saturday