Scores of cats, dogs rescued

ANIMAL welfare organisation SA Mast Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha has collected 54 cats and dogs after the devastating fires two weeks ago.

The fires left more than 1 300 people homeless after destroying more than 300 shacks in Town Two.

The 9-year-old clinic said it would continue to search for homeless cats and dogs.

SA Mast team leader Mark Booi had advised residents that they would offer to service animals that were injured, ill or needed temporary shelter. Many of the dogs and cats that residents brought for treatment were suffering from dehydration and exposure to heat, smoke and dust, Booi said.

Of the 54 homeless animals, two had puppies, a pregnant cat gave birth hours after arriving at the clinic, while all the other cats and dogs, except for three 4-month-old puppies, had previously been sterilised at the clinic.

The organisation has asked people to consider donating food and funds to help it cope.