Varsity College makes NGOS wishes come true
In a heartwarming Christmas miracle, the SPCA Randburg experienced a tale of joy when a stray cat was reunited with his owners after 10 years.
The revelation was made after SPCA staff routinely scanned the cat for a microchip, a procedure conducted for all incoming animals.
The chip contained the details that allowed the staff to contact the owner and discovered that Slinky had been missing for an entire decade.
Slinky’s owner, Albert Swart, rushed to collect the now 15-yearold cat. He explained that the call from the SPCA left him feeling several emotions. “I was shocked, surprised and somewhat confused. They explained that he was handed in by someone living on Maria Street in Ferndale, which is three kilometres from where he went missing.”
Swart said that having Slinky back felt like a new adoption.
“Initially, it was weird because I had accepted his loss. But it is nice to have him back.
“To some extent, it is more like a new adoption than having him back. I am, however, glad that he is back, safe and able to be cared for.”
Speaking about the miraculous reunion, the kennel manager at SPCA Randburg, Cynthia Swanepoel, highlighted the critical role microchipping played in finding Slinky.
She stated that without it, locating the owners would have been impossible. “Microchipping is extremely important as we have seen with Slinky. A simple little chip made a massive difference. It takes only a few seconds to do the chipping and it reaps lifetime benefits.”
Swanepoel emphasised that microchipping is crucial, especially for pets that do not wear collars or may easily lose them.
“It takes only a few seconds to chip and fill in paperwork and we are done. We register the animal for you and you will receive copies of the paperwork.”
Swart agreed: “Irrespective of what they [lost pets] go through, that little chip is invaluable. I believe that a collar with a tag is also useful, as people on the street can check up on the cat’s owner.”
The staff of IIE’S Varsity College (Pietermaritzburg) ended last year by providing several NGOS with much needed support after obtaining wish lists from them (of which the SPCA was one) and allocated a R20 000 budget the best way possible.
The other NGOS were CHOC, Isabel Beardmore Home for the Aged, Community Chest, Lifechangers, Pietermaritzburg Animal Rescue and Rehome (PARR) and Mama Ntombi’s Community Projects. Some of the donations included non-perishable food and shower stools for Isabel Beardmore Home for the Aged and board games for Mama Ntombi’s Community Projects.
“Times are tough for so many but even more so for NGO’S and charities. Getting involved in this year- end initiative reminded me of just how much I have to be grateful for. It was wonderful to provide even just a small bit of relief for the Pietermaritzburg SPCA team who work so hard for the animals. We are all born with the ability to change someone’s life and we should put this to ability to good use,” said Ray September.