The College Hill Preparatory School’s Grade R classes recently received a special visit from a friendly, furry, four-legged visitor: Tushka, a 4-year-old German Shepherd cross and potential adoptee currently housed at SPCA in Kariega.
Accompanied by SPCA Head Deidré Swift, and Adoption Officer Juan-Marie Maritz, the adorable pooch came to thank the over 100 excited pre-schoolers personally for their impressive collection and donation of dog and cat food.
In less than three weeks, the Grade Rs and Grade 1s collected an estimated 120 kilograms of kibble and cat pellets and over 170 cans of wet food.
Apart from thanking the school for the donation, Swift also spoke to learners about the community-supported organisation’s crucial work as well as how they could best care for their pets.
“More than food, water and a nice warm bed, the most important thing your pet needs is your love. And that’s what this donation is – it is a big show of love that will help us do our job.”
Tushka, Swift and Maritz then presented prizes to three winners of the Fido colouring-in competition, orchestrated by the College Hill Grade R educators.
Searching for a forever family
Tushka came to the SPCA as a stray with a badly broken hind leg from a suspected car collision.
Despite the agony her injury must have been causing, Tushka was incredibly loveable and friendly from the very beginning. Thanks to the compassion and charity of Dr Riaan Mulder at the Uitenhage Animal Clinic, Tushka was able to undergo a costly surgery to repair her leg and has been given a new lease on life.
Tushka’s well-disciplined and affectionate nature suggests that she was previously homed. However, because no owners have come forward to claim her, she is now up for adoption.
The cute and clever canine walks well on a lead, sits on command, presents paw when asked and, as she displayed on Friday at College Hill, is great with kids. Her hind leg is healing well and her injury is hardly noticeable.
For more information about adopting Tushka or any of the many other pets in need of a home, contact the SPCA on 041 992 3016.
