Micky, our Mascot

Micky, our mascot, is a typical rescue and a very special dog. If ever a dog's expression saved his life, it was so in Micky's case. This much-loved mutt almost became another “statistic” when he was rescued as a puppy from appalling circumstances in Masiphumelele Informal Settlement. He was the victim of a motor vehicle accident and sustained a horrific degloving injury to his foreleg. The flesh had been ripped off to the bone, which was broken and infected. In addition he was malnourished, had mange and the vet felt it would be kindest to put him out of his misery. But, for TEARS, that wasn't an option, and he had to spend one month in hospital where he received intensive treatment. Such is his charisma and charming disposition, we could not part with him. Three years later, Micky is an important part of TEARS and delights all who meet him. He is definitely Mr Personality and an excellent example of one of our typical rescues. As our mascot, he carries out his ambassadorial duties with aplomb and demonstrates how TEARS turn tears of sadness to tears of joy.

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Rocky

Rocky was one of the worst cases of neglect we have ever witnessed. He was rescued after being dumped on Borchard Quarry Drive. He was skeletal, covered in mange and sores and hardly had any fur. This poor, sad animal had completely given up and had no regard for life. When you looked into his cold, lifeless eyes is struck you that he was more like a ghost than a dog. It’s shocking to know that someone is responsible for such inexcusable neglect.

After his amazing recovery, which only took six weeks, Rocky, a pedigree Rottweiler, was a completely different dog, with a completely different outlook on life!

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Rolo

Rolo was uplifted from Ocean View Township after being severely neglected. He had an advanced stage of mange and his skin was raw and covered in sores. This poor boy had suffered so much in his short life of six months. He spent five weeks in our quarantine facility, where he recuperated from his mange infection.

Rolo was so handsome after his rehabilitation and, after spending a few months in our kennels waiting patiently for a new home, was adopted by a loving, caring family. It just goes to show that it is never too late to turn the life of an animal around!

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Calypso

Calypso was found scavenging for food near a railway line in Plumstead. She was severely traumatised, emaciated and skeletal, only weighing 20 kilograms, which is not much for a Bull Mastiff! She had terrible mange with a secondary infection and her skin suppurated with puss and blood. She cringed at your every move, waiting in anguish for you to hit her. She had previously been abused, so her rehabilitation would not only be physically, but emotionally as well.

At first, Calypso would do nothing but hide away and stare into the wall. We showered her with much TLC and over time she responded to kindness.

Three months after her rescue, Calypso was fully rehabilitated. She now looks lovingly up at you with her beautiful, liquid eyes. Calypso was adopted, with her best friend, Josh, by a wonderful family.

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Cody

Cody, a six month old puppy, was rescued from Ocean View Township two weeks after a group of children had placed an elastic band around his neck and ears. The band had slowly cut through his skin and was clearly visible, embedded in his flesh, which was infected and terribly raw. Cody was fostered by one of our volunteers, and four weeks of treatment saw him fully recovered and adopted by a new, loving family.

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Courage

Courage, a tiny 6-month-old semi-feral kitten, was rescued at the Royal Cape Business Park in Ottery. He was caught in a humane cat trap after miraculously surviving for about two weeks with horrific injuries – his left hind leg and tail had been severed; how, we don’t know. Dr Michelle Rietmann of St Francis Veterinary Hospital in Bergvliet, amputated the remaining portion of his leg and tail.

Dr Rietmann commented, “Had this been a dog, it surely wouldn’t have survived. It would have probably curled up and died.” Courage has overcome all his mistrust of humans and has settled beautifully into his new home, where he has flourished into a handsome young cat.

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From Rags to Riches – The tale of Garfield

Garfield was brought to TEARS as a stray. He arrived in a horrific condition – the sort of condition one might expect from an abandoned cat living in a township. Garfield was recognised by some people and it is thought that his owners were respected members of the community of Kommetjie. The upkeep of such a beautiful Persian cat had obviously been too much for them, as he had been badly neglected.

When Garfield came to us, his fur was so badly matted that he was unable to move his head to clean himself. We had to shave him completely as there were nests of fleas in his tangled fur and festering sores on his skin. There was a deep infected hole at the top of one of his back legs where faeces had matted with the fur and eaten into his skin. One of his testes had split and he had an ingrown eyelash that infected his eye.

Garfield stayed with TEARS for several weeks, recovering from his abuse. He was neutered and had his ingrown eyelash removed. His sores were treated and healed in time. Despite all he had been through, he had the most trusting and adorable nature, purring whenever he saw someone and wanting to be stroked and cuddled constantly.

Much to our delight, a lovely couple came to the TEARS Cattery to adopt a new feline friend, and fell in love with Garfield, even though his fur had not grown back properly. He had a huge head and mane, skinny legs and a shorn body, but they saw beyond his outer appearance and adopted him.

He has since grown into a stunning, mature Persian cat. His new owners have renamed him Ernest, and claim that he is the most charming cat they have ever known. He is still very much the purer and bosses the resident Bull Mastiff’s around. As it is essential for a Persian, he gets groomed daily.

If only his previous owners had done the simple task of grooming their cat, then Garfield would not have suffered the unnecessary pain and discomfort of neglect, but, then again, we reckon Garfield is better off in his new home, where he obviously rules the roost and is thoroughly adored by all!

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Skyla

Skyla, a 2-year-old white and black crossbreed, was uplifted from Masiphumelele Informal Settlement after being tightly tied up on a short piece of nylon rope. The rope had dug into her neck’s flesh, causing it to become severely infected. After delicately removing the rope, Skyla’s wound had to be cleaned and stitched, and a course of antibiotics was prescribed. Veterinary prognosis was good and she recovered well.

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Changing Destiny’s Fate

Destiny, a seven-month-old Terrier, Collie cross, was brought to the TEARS Kennels after being rescued from Fisantekraal Informal Settlement in a shocking state. Sarcoptic mange had infected her whole body, leaving only a few tufts of fur along her back. Her skin was raw and sensitive; she was depressed and must have been mistreated as she was very timid and wary of human contact.

Destiny spent four weeks in quarantine, where she received treatment for her mange. She was such a gentle-natured and intelligent girl, and soon overcame her fear and mistrust of humans, becoming very excited when you came to visit her. Once she had fully recovered from her mange she looked like a totally different dog and was moved into an enclosure with other dogs, where she instantly made new canine friends.

Destiny’s fate had a happy conclusion when she was adopted by a loving, caring family, which just goes to show that it is never too late to turn the life of an animal around.

A Miracle called Milandra

Whilst observing a feral cat colony in Port Owen on the West Coast, we almost didn’t notice a small black mass, barely visible through the dense foliage of a dying tree – a little kitten in distress! She was about five weeks old, badly malnourished and suffering from severe snuffles with her eyes sealed shut and gooey. We immediately removed the kitten to give her the required medical attention. We located a man who had been feeding the cat colony and questioned him as to whether he knew about the kitten. He claimed it had been dumped near his house a few weeks before and that he had thought a night adder had eaten her. The kitten was only a few weeks old and had already come so close to death – such a shocking thought!

After a few weeks of special care and having made a remarkable recovery, Milandra, as she has now been named, charmed her way into one of the TEARS volunteer’s heart and home.