3 Percherons Need Your Support

Poseidon

Eos and Hercules

Hi there animal lovers,

UPDATE :

THE 3 PERCHERONS ( was initially 2 ) HAVE BEEN HELPED OUT BY A TRANSPORT COMPANY AND ARE BEING DRIVEN FROM NATAL TO WESTERN CAPE AS I WRITE THIS. THE TRANSPORT HAS OFFERED TO DO THIS SO LONG AS THEY ARE PAID WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.

PLEASE IF YOU CAN SPARE ANY CASH TO HELP WITH THIS ENDEAVOR IT WILL BE SO APPRECIATED AND ALLOW THESE 3 HORSES TO LIVE OUT A PEACEFUL LIFE ON LAURA'S FARM WHERE SHE WILL CONTINUE TO CARE FOR THEM.WE JUST NEED TO BE ABLE TO PAY BACK THE TRANSPORT FEES....

IF YOU CAN HELP OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO CAN AFFORD TO SPARE SOME RANDS THE BANKING INFO IS:

First National Bank 132 High Street
Oudtshoorn
6620
Branch code - 210414
account number - 62155216007
account holders - Mr Grant M Mc Ilrath and Mrs Laura J Mc Ilrath.

Please consider helping out this worthwhile project on behalf of Laura McIlrath

Eos and Hercules

Her plea:

We are desperately trying to raise funds for the transport of 2 previously abused Percheron horses that are now in a loving home but the owner can no longer keep them. 1 is a mare and the other an 18 year old bay gelding.

They have not been backed so finding them a home has been difficult but here at the sanctuary we are more than happy to take them and care for them for the rest of their days!

the transport is R8500 for both of the horses and we are trying to raise money to help with this cost.

All donors will be acknowledged on my website and all donations however big or small will be greatly greatly appreciated not only by us but by the 2 Percheron's also :-) . All donors will be added as sponsors of the horses and receive regular updates of their progress and if possible can come and visit them at the sanctuary any time they like free of charge :-)

If you can help in some way email Laura as soon as you can ikkos_equine_sanctuary@live.co.za

If you want to see what Laura does take a look at her collection of animal rescues and pets here:
http://ikkos-equine-sanctuary.weebly.com/

Thanks so much

Donkey & her foal need a home

Please help. This beautiful mare and 2 week old female foal are desperately seeking a new loving home with grass to eat, a shelter to get away from bad weather and love and attention from a loving family.

Please feel free to contact me and let me know if you are interested and also Please contact Celeste at spcasprings@mweb.com or 0118152908

WARNING DUBIOUS BREEDER

Simba when he arrived out the box

Here is the email from Laura Mcllrath(AKA The Meerkat lady ) of IKKOS EQUINE SANCTUARY that she has sent on to KUSA about her awful story with her puppies - please feel free to pass it on to prevent people from buying pups from this lady she is a true monster and needs to be stopped – Laura has petitioned to KUSA along with many other people to get her 'facility' checked out by animal welfare and this will hopefully happen soon :-)

“I want everyone to know what can go wrong with breeders and how much animals in shelters need new homes

It is quite upsetting ( I know I am biased) but we lost a puppy and Simba was on deaths door when he arrived but please tell people about this breeder and help stop her from breeding!"

"I am contacting you in regards to Zoetje Aucamp (Kuruman area South Africa) and the service she provided with our Labrador retriever puppies. I want to make people aware of this lady and the bad experiences I and many other people have had after buying puppies from her and to discourage people from buying from her and to stop her from breeding altogether.

It was October 2008 we bought 2 Labrador retriever puppies from Zoetje. A male and a female from separate litters. The male we called Bomani and the female we called Amara. The delivery date was delayed twice by Zoetje - they were flying from Kuruman to George.The puppies looked healthy when they arrived although Amara was half the size of Bomani and her birth date had been changed in her inoculation passport. She was so small I even wondered if she was 8 weeks and it was very suspect that the date in her inoculation book had been changed.

Bomani was due to have his 2nd inoculation the day before he flew to us and Zoetje did not get this done. We had him inoculated the day after he arrived and he seemed fine.

After 11 days he started to get sick and after 1 day I took him straight to the vet - they put him on a drip and kept him overnight and did absolutely everything they could - no expenses spared but sadly he died over night and they concluded it was some sort of virus. We were devastated! The vet also mentioned that the inoculations he had been given before he arrived with us were not all the correct dose so his immune system was lowered because of this. He died at only 10 weeks old.

2 days later we contacted Zoetje and told her the news but she said that he was fine when he left her and there wasn’t a lot she could do. I said that we needed another puppy as a playmate for Amara as she was very lonely and she sent me some pictures of 3 different puppies she had available. She said she had no puppies left of her own but her brother had 2 Labrador retriever cross golden retrievers in Johannesburg as he was moving away and couldn’t take them. I said

we wanted a young purebred the same age as Amara. She sent me a picture of a young male apparently a 10 week old purebred lab in Johannesburg. I said we would take him.

We waited 2 weeks for the new pup and again the delivery date was postponed twice.I got there and the guy at the airport asked if I was sure it was a small puppy, I said yes I was sure and asked why, he said the box seemed very heavy for a small puppy but I thought nothing more of it.He brought out a large wooden box with no newspaper, blankets, or water in it and the puppy was so large he couldn’t even sit or stand without being crouched over.

We called him Simba

He was petrified and couldn’t even walk he was so scared and so emaciated. His ribs and hips were sticking out and he had scars on his face.I managed to get him from the crate and carried him to the car. He threw up all the way home and was so petrified he would flinch if I touched him.

He came with no papers at all - no pedigree or inoculation certificate so while at the airport I called Zoetje and asked where these documents were as she assured me they would be there. She said she would send them to me, we are still waiting for these after repeated requests for her to send them to us. I asked her when he was inoculated and with what and she didn’t know and also asked when he was dewormed and she said she didn’t think he had been. We took him straight to the vet and had him inoculated and dewormed and they confirmed that he was a 4-month-old Labrador retriever cross great Dane!

Both puppies have problems with their hips as confirmed by my vet. (read on to find the true tragedy of simba - he has severe hip dysplasia at 9 months old - the operations he will need when he is 18 months old - if he manages on pain killers and isnt put to sleep before then will cost between 20,000 and 30,000 rand)

We received no pedigrees after various attempts to get them from Zoetje. She sent 2 pedigrees both for the same dog a liver Labrador male - our labs are both golden. The copies were in such bad resolution you could barely make out anything on them at all.

I want to see her stopped from breeding, as you will read below it is not just me that has had horrific experiences like this. No one should have to lose such a sweet innocent life and go through the heartache I did when we lost our Bomani I was simply devastated and still miss him every day. Please stop other people from having to go through this awful experience, make people aware of this ladies tricks and tell them to buy puppies elsewhere and if people stop buying her puppies maybe she will stop breeding - I hope."

WE HAVE MANY OTHER EMAILS FROM SHOCKED AND DISGUSTED CUSTOMERS OF THIS BREEDER.

THINK BEFORE TAKING ON A PET

WE ALL LOVE PUPPIES

Here is a letter posted in a magazine which i would like as many people as possible to read - so people know that rescuing an animal from an animal shelter makes such a huge difference and does save lives!!!

This letter was written by a shelter manager
"I think our society needs a huge 'wake up' call. As a shelter manager, i am going to share a little insight with you all..... First off, all breeders and puppy or kitten agents should be made to work in the back of an animal shelter for just one day. Maybe if you saw the life drain from sad, confused eyes, you would change your mind about breeding and selling to people you don't even know. that puppy you just sold could end up in my shelter when he's no longer cute. So how would you feel if you knew that there is a 90% chance that he will never walk out of the shelter? purebreed or not!

BUT ALL PUPPIES EVENTUALLY GROW UP

The most common excuses i hear are: 'we are moving and we can't take our dog (or cat)' Really? Where are you moving to that doesn't allow pets? Or they say: 'The dog got bigger than we thought it would' How big did you think a German Shepherd would get? 'We don't have time for her' Really? I work a 10 to 12 hour day and still have time for my six dogs! 'She's tearing up our yard' How about making her a part of your family?

People dump their pets here in the hope that they'll get adopted. But let me tell you, your pet will be confined to a small run in a room with about 25 other barking or crying animals. He will have to relieve himself where he eats and sleeps. He will be depressed and he will cry constantly for the family that abandoned him/

If your pet is lucky, I will have enough volunteers in that day to take him for a walk. If i don't, your pet won't get any attention besides having a bowl of food slid under the kennel door and the waste sprayed out of his pen with a hig-powered hose.

If your dog doesn't get adopted within 72 hours and the shelter is full, it will be destroyed. If the shelter isn't full and your dog is good enough and of a desireable enough breed, it may get a stay of execution, but not for long. Here's a little euthanasia 101 for those of you that have never witnessed a perfectly healthy, scared animal being 'put down'.

First, your pet will be taken from its kennel on a leash. They always look like they think they are going for a walk - happy, wagging their tails. Until they get to 'the room'. Every one of them freaks out and puts on the brakes when we get to the door. It must smell like death or they can feel the sad souls that are let in there. It's strange, but it happens with every one of them.

Your dog or cat will be restrained and held down. Then a euthanasia tech or a vet will start the process. They will find a vein in the front leg and inject a lethal dose of the 'pink stuff'. Hopefully your pet doesn't panic from being restrained and jerk. They don't all just 'go to sleep'. Sometimes they spasm for a while, gasp for air and defecate on themselves.

I hope that those of you that have read this are bawling your eyes out and can't get the pictures out of your head. I deal with this every day on the way home from work, i hate my job, i hate that it exists and i hate that it will always be there unless you people make some changes and realise that the lives you are affecting go much farther than the pets you dump at a shelter!"

HORSES UP FOR ADOPTION

Cape of Good Hope SPCA Horse Care Unit Newsletter

13 March 2009

Looking for loving homes

"We have been rescued by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA Horse Care Unit, given care and good food. We are being schooled and handled regularly. What we really need now, is to belong. – Bingo, Andie, Pieterjie and Morne"

Bingo, a Hackney gelding, is approximately 16hh.

Bingo came to the unit as an extremely nervous equine. After extensive handling, and sympathetic schooling, his handler reports that he has improved enormously. Bingo needs a very special home, as he is needy. He has a swelling on his hindquarter and it is the opinion of an SPCA veterinarian that it could disappear with time. We have found that he is sore after lunging in heavy going (soft sand), but is fine on hard ground. We suggest that he is suitable for light hacking, or driving, as he has unbelievably good action. First prize would be for him to become a companion. Bingo is a non-dominant horse, and loves donkeys! He would fit well into a small herd.

Andie is a 15 year old Hackney pony gelding.

At approximately 12hh, he is the perfect little guy to bring on as a child’s pony. He is sweet natured, and loves attention! This friendly pony has become a firm favorite with the staff at the unit. He is sound, and has been under saddle. His handler has commented on the fact that he is easy-going, and is happy to be schooled and lunged. Andie has beautiful, big, sad eyes – come and see him!

Pietertjie is Shetland cross standing at all of 11hh!

Diamonds come in small packages, and this pony is a real gem! Despite being confiscated from a life of cruelty, this pony is sweet and gentle, with a lively, but biddable temperament. He has been gelded. Pietertjie has needed special food and love to bring him back to health. He is a young pony, under five, and ideal for a small child. His handler reports that he is easy to handle, would make a super kid’s riding pony, or… at that size, a very pretty ornamental companion! If you can see Pietertjie as part of your family…please call us to make an appointment.

Morne is an unbelievably soft –natured and sweet stallion

Morne is an absolute lamb; he is just on 16hh, and a real weight carrier. He is truly one of those temperaments in a million. He has been handled and ridden. Although still a stallion, our handlers are able to ride him bareback! He simply loves people and deserves a special home. He would suit a nervous or beginner rider, or would suit a tall or large child-rider. Morne will be gelded before leaving the unit. Don’t miss this boy; he really is worth a visit! Call us for an appointment.

Adoption stories have wonderful endings. Ugly ducklings become swans! If you are the kind of person who can make this happen, there can be no greater reward, than seeing the results – a couple of months down the line.

The pictures below are of ‘Violet’ rescued by the horse care unit in an emaciated state. Aged twenty! She picked up condition, and was thereafter adopted. The second picture was taken four months later.

Violet when she arrived at SPCA

Voilet after love and attention - what a difference some love makes !

So are you looking for a riding-horse or pony? Or perhaps an equine companion? Please come and visit us.

You are welcome to call and make an appointment with Stable Master, Angela Knight or Assistant Stable Master Nico Maass on 021 700 4173 or hcuadmin@spca-ct.co.za

For any queries relating to these horses please call our senior handler and volunteer Newton Phillips 082 454 5544.

Alternatively you may contact Lamees Martin on 021... or comms@spca-ct.co.za

Andiamo Showreel

ORINOCO's ANDIAMO BREAKFAST UPDATE

THE SCRUMPTIOUS BREAKFAST LAID ON BY ANDIAMO

ONE OF THE STYLISH MODELS IN "CIGAR" SASHAYING DOWN THE RUNWAY

Hello to all you wonderful people who supported our breakfast for charity on the 9th Sept 2008 .
We had a marvelous morning with a fab fashion show as well as a great talk from Sarah Scarth representing the SPCA Horse Care Unit.

ORINOCO'S TEAM CAROLYN GILLMER , MARY-ANNE KNIGHT & SARAH SCARTH

CHRISTINE DA SILVA FOUNDER OF WWW.ALTERSAGE.COM WHO HELPED RAISE FACEBOOK AWARENESS WITH HER ONLINE EXPERTISE.

MY CO-WORKERS & BOSS A HAPPY RECIPIENT OF AN ANDIAMO FOOD HAMPER!

JAKE - OUR SPCA FURRY REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE DAY

The entire Facebook campaign and the breakfast raised R13000 rands in total . Of that- R3000 went to help Orinoco with his gelding , dentistry and re-homing . R1520 went to Touch of Gold's stabling for a month at www.goodhorsesense.co.za where he is getting stronger every day with love and care from the amazing ladies who run this establishment. R3480 was given to the SPCA horse care unit to assist in buying new equipment ( i.e. halters , lunging reins etc ) to make life a little bit sweeter for the horses resting at the SPCA Horse Care Unit.

THE GREAT TURNOUT @ ANDIAMO FOR ORINOCO

The remaining R5000 was used in creating and setting up for the day including advertising and basic costs for the event which we thank the sponsors greatly for !!

Once again to sponsors & guests alike thank you so very much for making this all possible and if you want to carry on helping out horses and animals in need please contact the SPCA now!!