Animal shelter gives pensioner helping hand

FORCED to live in his vehicle with his pet dog after falling on tough times, pensioner Kenneth Leggo has been living at the Richards Bay SPCA for almost six months.

His pet Patches fell ill and sadly passed away but the 75-year-old remained on the premises and the SPCA is now appealing to the public for a donation of a Wendy house to accommodate Leggo.

He sleeps in one of the rooms on the premises and assists with maintenance, repairs and offers assistance in the SPCA second-hand shop as well.

Formerly from Johannesburg, Leggo landed up in Richards Bay with all his belongings stacked inside his vehicle and was involved in an accident, which severely damaged his vehicle.

Richards Bay SPCA representative Elizabeth Cordiglia, said the room in which Leggo has been sleeping is used for other operations during the day.

‘He has to get up really early and have everything packed away before the start of the day.

‘He is still living out of his vehicle and the donation of a Wendy house will provide him with his own space and house all his belongings.

‘As a former pilot and electrician, it appears he fell on hard times and with no close relatives or family he has struggled to find a secure place to live.

‘He is extremely helpful, loves the animals and is always ready to give a hand wherever he can.

Pensioner Kenneth Leggo is being accommodated at the Richards Bay SPCA

‘The SPCA is also going through tough financial times but he has been a real help to us, especially with all the ‘handyman’ work around the premises,’ said Cordiglia.