ST FRANCIS BAY – An emotional reunion between a dog and his owner in Malawi has marked the successful conclusion of an extraordinary cross-border rescue effort by St Francis Animal Rescue after the pair were separated when alleged xenophobic unrest forced the owner to leave South Africa.
Fireman, an Africanis dog belonging to Stephen Black Lion Singini, was safely reunited with his owner in Lilongwe after a carefully coordinated journey involving animal welfare organisations, veterinarians, transport specialists and donors from South Africa and Malawi.
Founder and chairperson of St Francis Animal Rescue, Susan Rae Fox, said the organisation was relieved and grateful that both Stephen and Fireman had safely reached home after their remarkable journey.
As previously reported, the organisation first met Singini six years ago when he brought Fireman, then a puppy, to one of its outreach programmes for vaccinations, deworming, and flea and tick treatment.
Since then, the dog had become his constant companion while Singini worked in South Africa and supported his family in Malawi.
On 27 July, after being forced to return to Malawi, Singini entrusted Fireman to Fox.
“Fireman was taken to kennels in Humansdorp to complete the final three days of the mandatory 30-day waiting period following his vaccinations before he was eligible to travel,” said Fox.
She said the following day Singini began his lengthy journey home, travelling by bus from Humansdorp to Gqeberha, then to Gauteng, before continuing over six days to Malawi.
On 30 July, Fox took Fireman to the Humansdorp Vet Clinic, where the veterinary certificate was signed by Dr Annelise Barker and the State Veterinarian.
She said they met Tanika Bessenger from Move @ Pet, who delivered a custom-built transport crate for Fireman.
“After placing one of Stephen’s worn shirts inside the crate, Fireman climbed in and lay down calmly,” said Fox.
She said Bessenger then transported Fireman to Gqeberha, where he remained in kennels before flying to Gauteng that evening.
The following morning, Fireman boarded a flight to Lilongwe, where he was collected by Bev Trataris, a trustee of the Lilongwe SPCA.
“Although Fireman was initially anxious after the flight, Bev was able to calm him before taking him to the SPCA. Because the kennels caused him stress, she instead cared for him at her home, where he spent two days enjoying walks and sleeping comfortably while waiting for Stephen to arrive,” said Fox.
Meanwhile, Singini’s journey remained challenging.
After reaching Blantyre, he reunited briefly with his daughter before travelling another five hours by bus to Lilongwe.
Following an overnight stay with his uncle, he made his way to the Lilongwe SPCA the next morning.
Fox said Singini waited outside, pacing anxiously until Fireman was released.
“The dog recognised him almost immediately and ran into his arms with such excitement that he knocked his owner to the ground before covering him with affectionate hugs and licks,” said Fox.
Later that day, the pair boarded a long-distance haulage truck that carried them part of the way to Karonga, near the Tanzanian border.
After changing trucks during the early hours of the morning, they completed the final leg of their journey and arrived home later that afternoon, where they were warmly welcomed by Singini’s mother and youngest daughter.
“St Francis Animal Rescue offers sincere and grateful thanks to all the kind donors whose funds made this journey possible and the wonderful people from Move @ Pet and the Lilongwe SPCA, who were so very generous with their time and so warm and loving towards Fireman,” said Fox.
“St Francis Animal Rescue is deeply relieved and gratified that Stephen and Fireman are home safe after their incredible journey. We wish them all the best in their future together.”
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