CAPE TOWN – What began as a routine animal rescue operation in Dunoon turned into a day that Cape of Good Hope SPCA Inspectorate Supervisor Rudolph Philander says he will never forget.

Philander, 35, who has worked in the animal welfare sector for seven years, was part of the team that rescued 24 dogs from a backyard breeding property on Monday 26 May.

Rescue mission

Hours after the rescue, Philander and his fellow inspectors stopped on the M5 to help a school learner found convulsing on the roadside.

The child was found on the M5 Southbound, on the grassed area between the M5 South and North, opposite Access Park and attends Batavia Special Needs School, said SPCA spokesperson, Belinda Abraham.

The inspectorate team stopped to assist the learner found convulsing on the side of the M5. “There was no hesitation from any of us to jump in and help the child. It was pure instinct,” Philander said.

Philander, a qualified paramedic registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, took charge of the child’s care while another inspector contacted emergency medical services.

The inspectors assisted and waited at the child’s side for 30 minutes, added Abraham.

“He was responsive and able to stand up, at which stage we left him in the capable hands of the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) who had arrived on scene 15 minutes earlier,” she said.

For Philander, both incidents highlighted the emotional reality of the work inspectors face daily.

“I wanted to make a real difference in the lives of animals and joining the SPCA was the best way to do that,” he said.

“The passion for animal welfare and animals in general has been part of me since birth.”

“Faeces all over”

The Dunoon operation was carried out under a warrant obtained in terms of the Animals Protection Act after repeated warnings to the property owner were allegedly ignored.

Philander described the conditions on the property as among the worst he has seen.

“The dogs were living in enclosures filled with hazardous material like metal roof sheets and stones,” he said.

“There were faeces all over – you could not avoid stepping into it.”

One flooded enclosure contained water above inspectors’ ankles.

“The water looked like it had sewerage in it and was littered with hazardous materials. The smell was unbearable,” he said.

Inspectors also discovered old food and bread left for the dogs, while several animals were underweight and suffering from untreated medical conditions.

For Philander, one of the hardest parts of the job is witnessing the loyalty animals still show toward owners who neglected them.

“The dogs used for breeding are often still loving toward their owners, but no love is returned to them,” he said.

Avoid backyard breeders

“That is the difficult part that drains you as an inspector.”

During the operation, inspectors found a critically ill puppy convulsing. Despite emergency veterinary intervention, the puppy later died. The remaining dogs are now receiving treatment and rehabilitation at the SPCA.

“Each of them was assessed by a qualified veterinarian and kept under observation by our staff,” said Philander.

The SPCA has again urged the public not to support backyard breeders or buy puppies sold on roadsides.

“Buying a puppy from the roadside or breeder is irresponsible because it aids their business and encourages them to keep the vicious cycle alive,” he said.

Philander believes public support remains one of the biggest challenges facing animal welfare organisations.

“Communities continue to support breeders. Animals are often moved and sold before we can remove them. Many people still do not see the negative side of it.”

Motivation after rescues

Despite the emotional toll, he says inspectors remain motivated by the lives they save.

“Knowing that we saved the animals from where they were motivates us for the next animals waiting for help,” he said.

Reflecting on the day, he said the work of inspectors extends beyond rescuing animals.

“Humanity goes beyond the work we do,” he said.

“It extends to the greater public and everywhere we go.”

“A very special thank you to Tanya Petersen, Rudy Philander and the team that helped the learner. Words fail me when I say that you went above and beyond helping this boy. Not all heroes wear capes, I feel they work for the SPCA. To do this much for a total stranger while having the trauma of saving precious fur babies who have been failed by humans takes nerves of steel and humanity on another level! Thank you. We appreciate you more than you will ever know,” said Anne Chetty, a teacher at the Batavia Special Needs School on a Facebook post published on the day of the rescue. 

People’s Post contacted the school for comment but they could not respond before the time of publication.

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