JEFFREYS BAY – A young boy from Ocean View in Jeffreys Bay has taken it upon himself to care for his friend’s dogs after his neighbour was forced to leave South Africa and return to Zimbabwe.
Athayanda Senatle (11), who has a strong love for animals, said he promised his friend, Brendon, that he would look after his dogs until he returned.
“My friend, Brendon, and I have known each other for a long time. We have the same passion for dogs, and that is why we became friends. I promised that I would look after his dogs until he comes back from Zimbabwe, and I don’t want to disappoint him,” said Senatle.
The young dog lover said he enjoys caring for animals but faces challenges in providing everything the dogs need.
“I have good communication with dogs and love dogs very much, but the challenges that I have are finding food to feed them and blankets for them,” said Senatle.
He said he is planning to build a small shack for the dogs where they can sleep warmly and eat healthy meals.
Senatle said he also wants to encourage others in his community to understand the importance of caring for animals.
“I am trying to implement a new system with my friends at home and school to encourage them to take proper care of their animals. I want them to know that animals are just as important as human beings,” said Senatle.
The situation came to the attention of JBay Animal Rescue Sanctuary, located in Ocean View, after Senatle regularly attended the organisation’s outreach programme.
According to Sanctuary Manager Cindy Muller, Senatle initially brought one dog to the Sanctuary’s Thursday outreach programme before the Outreach Programme Manager Jessica Naude discovered that he had taken in two more dogs.
“Jessica became aware of the situation because the young boy always brought his one dog to our outreach on a Thursday. When she saw he had more dogs, she asked him where he got them from, and then he told her the story,” said Muller.
She said Senatle’s friend and neighbour had left for Zimbabwe before the anti-immigrant march on 30 June and was unable to take his dogs with him.
Muller said Senatle then took it upon himself to look after the two Border Collie dogs.
She said the Sanctuary has stepped in to assist with food, as Senatle and his family do not have the means to provide for all three dogs. Muller said they will sponsor Senatle with a bag of dog food each month.
“He had promised his friend he would take care of his dogs. That really broke us as we have had to take in dogs and a cat who could not leave with their owners,” said Muller.
She said many community members struggle to afford the costs associated with taking in additional animals.
“The main challenge is finances, as most people really live day to day and only barely have enough to feed their own families. Taking on extra pets is something they really struggle to afford. Veterinary care is also something they cannot afford, which is why we are there to help,” said Muller.
She urged anyone who has taken in animals after foreign nationals had to leave their pets behind to contact the Sanctuary for help.
“I want people to know they can come to us for help if they need it and not let the dogs suffer in any way, as we are here to help,” said Muller.
She said members of the public can support JBay Animal Rescue Sanctuary through donations of food, blankets or financial contributions.
For more info or to support Athayanda Senatle or the Sanctuary, contact Cindy Muller at 083 320 4173, email jbayanimals@gmail.com, or visit www.Jbayanimalsanctuary.co.za.
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