KNYSNA NEWS - A beacon of hope for lost or injured animals and their panicked, saddened or worried humans throughout the Knysna fire disaster came in the form of the Knysna Animal Welfare Society (KAWS) and its volunteers.
According to general manager Annelien Kitley, KAWS became involved with relief and rescue efforts on the first day of the fires, June 7, when people started going to KAWS looking for lost animals. Later that day, people started bringing in lost or injured animals, or those evacuated from affected areas.
“Then we started getting busy and it hasn’t stopped till now. When we heard about the approaching storm on the Tuesday, we started preparing for the wind, never thinking about fire. When panicked pet owners started arriving we could only see smoke everywhere – there was a lot of uncertainty, and a lot of fear,” said Kitley.
When things started getting busy, Kitley and two other staff members were the only ones on duty at the time, trying to prepare space for lost and evacuated animals.
“Our staff and volunteers have been amazing. We didn’t even need to ask for donations as they just started rolling in. Concerned animal lovers from all over South Africa started phoning us and asking what we needed. Since the first week of the fires it has been about coordinating relief efforts and supplies; doing patrols in suburbs, informal settlements and farms; and dealing with the extreme emotions of pet owners and those of our own,” she said.
“People came to us crying, with just them, their animals and a few possessions in their vehicles. They were devastated. Not knowing what to do, some had been driving around for two hours or more looking for safety,” she said, adding that KAWS felt it had to make a plan to help everyone that approached them.
During the weeks of the fire, KAWS would not only assist dogs and cats. Kitley said that at one point there were 50 chickens, 30 ducks, a pig, and a vervet monkey on the premises, nevermind the countless animals found and fed on their patrols.
For Kitley some of the happiest moments came when seeing how concerned people were for animals. “We had amazing volunteers, vets and donators. I can’t even put into words how much they helped us. Some vets even worked free of charge,” she said.
Another happy moment was when the chickens and ducks could return home.
“There was also a moment in the Blackwaters area that brought a smile to my face. I was driving around a farm where absolutely nothing was left. Out of nowhere two pigs came running toward me and I could see they were really hungry. They ate like pigs when I fed them,” she laughed.
One of the sadder moments, though, was of a man brought to tears by guilt. “He had left his dog in the house when he went to call for help. When he came back his house was burnt to the ground; he didn’t know if his dog escaped or was taken by the flames. He felt so guilty,” she said.
Another heartbreaking sight was that of an elderly lady in her car with her two large dogs. “She drove around alone for hours looking for some relief,” said Kitley.
The sad story of the vervet monkey has also stuck with Kitley. “His hands and feet were burnt so badly. In the end we couldn’t save him. It really was an emotional time – some of us here at KAWS are still struggling to deal with it.”
KAWS will continue their relief efforts where possible, Kitley said, also taking the long-term effects of the fire into consideration. “We assess each case on its merits when people come to for help and have our own way of distributing relief. With injured or lost animals still coming in, KAWS is here to help till the end.”
• Don’t stop going back to your affected property. Visit it regularly.
• Don’t stop putting out food for your lost pets.
• Keep calling your pet’s name when you are in the area where they got lost.
For dealing with wild animals who are now forced to widen their search area for food, Kitley suggested:
• Contact SANParks or CapeNature. Where possible, KAWS will make a plan to address the issue, or at least go out to investigate.
• Wild animals are used to foraging – don’t feed them near your home. “Try placing food and water far away from your home. You don’t want a situation later where these animals become a nuisance.”
*The Knysna-Plett Herald also asked Kitley to shed more light on rumours that donations sent to KAWS for relief efforts were stolen over the last couple of weeks.
"At this moment we do not have many details about the alleged theft, but what I can say is that there is an ongoing investigation into the matter.
"Once we have more detailed information we will release it to the public."
This little piggy went safely back home. Photo: Supplied
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