ST FRANCIS BAY – A successful reunion between a dog and its owner in Malawi has given St Francis Animal Rescue hope as it continues efforts to reunite another beloved pet with its owner after alleged xenophobic threats forced foreign nationals to leave Sea Vista.

Founder and chairperson of St Francis Animal Rescue, Susan Rae Fox, said members of the organisation first met Stephen Black Lion Singhini six years ago when he brought his Africanis puppy, Fireman, to an outreach for vaccinations, deworming and flea and tick treatment.

Fox said Singhini had been working in South Africa while his wife and three children lived in Malawi, where he sent money each month to help support them.

With no other family in South Africa, Fireman became his best friend and constant companion.

Fox said during Fireman’s first year, St Francis Animal Rescue provided booster vaccinations, a lead, collar and blankets.

Although volunteers saw the pair less frequently as the dog grew older, she said they regularly spotted Singhini driving with Fireman sitting beside him in his bakkie.

Fox said after alleged xenophobic threats in Sea Vista forced many Malawian and Zimbabwean residents to leave, Singhini sent the organisation a heartfelt message saying he would rather die than leave Fireman behind.

Since they knew the sentiment to be true, she said they were determined to do everything possible to get Fireman to Singhini in Malawi.

“While we care about the injustice and cruelty of these attacks upon innocent people, our primary focus is on the dogs and cats belonging to people forced to flee from Sea Vista,” said Fox.

To help reunite Singhini with Fireman, Fox said the organisation is working with Gqeberha-based pet relocation company Move A Pet to fly the dog to Lilongwe, Malawi.

She said they had also received assistance from Bev Trataris at the Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (LSPCA), who would be organising arrival fees and a clearing agent at the destination, and assisting with information about the second leg of the journey from Lilongwe to Karonga, where Singhini’s family lives, approximately 10 hours from Lilongwe.

Fox said they ensured that Fireman received all the required vaccinations, was microchipped and underwent a full health check by Dr Annelise Barker at the Humansdorp Vet Clinic.

“Fireman is currently completing the required 30-day waiting period before he can be flown to Lilongwe in Malawi. A large travel crate is being built for him, while an import permit is also being processed,” said Fox.

She thanked supporters from across South Africa whose donations are expected to cover Fireman’s air travel, Singhini’s bus fare, import permit and agent fees, and the second stage of their journey.

“St Francis Animal Rescue is deeply grateful for all those who were touched by the plight of Stephen and Fireman. Thank you for your kindness,” said Fox.

She said funds remaining after the successful journey of Singhini and his dog to Malawi will be used to help pets left behind by immigrants forced to flee at short notice.

In a separate case, Fox confirmed that a dog named Rex has already been reunited with his owner.

She said Rex’s owner, a documented foreign national who had worked in South Africa for many years, was forced to leave the country to seek safety during alleged xenophobic protests, leaving the dog behind.

“St Francis Animal Rescue placed Rex in foster care until his owner was able to relocate, and the pair have now been reunited to begin a new life together,” said Fox.

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