Cape Town – TEARS Animal Rescue, which has come to the aid of hundreds of pets that were injured and displaced after a massive fire in Masiphumelele, is requesting donations.
The blaze ravaged the informal settlement in the early hours of Monday.
One person was killed, two were taken to hospital and about 500 residents were left homeless.
Humanitarian organisations, such as the Gift of the Givers, have been on the ground providing toiletry packs and hot meals to affected people.
Tears Animal Rescue has been taking care of the animals.
“We urgently need funding to increase our supply of drip fluids, antibiotics, pain killers, anti-inflammatories, burn treatment (burn shield and silver sulfadiazine cream) and bandaging.
“The Tears Veterinary Hospital, Animal Ambulance, Kennel and Cattery teams are operating at high alert to provide ongoing emergency rescue and treatment services, as well as temporary housing of injured and displaced animals until they can be reunited with their families,” the organisation said.
Tears said their ambulance and mobile clinic vans have been travelling between their headquarters and Masiphumelele since Monday morning.
They are expecting to continue to search for and rescue injured animals and transporting them back to their hospital for treatment over the next several days as the clearing and rebuilding of destroyed homes get under way.
The organisation said two staff members also lost their homes and all their belongings in the fire.
For donations Tears can be emailed [email protected] or visit https://www.tears.org.za/donate
Gift of the Givers can be contacted at their toll free line 0800786911 and for cash contributions into Gift of the Givers, Standard Bank, Pietermaritzburg, Account number 052137228, Branch Code 057525, ref Masi Fire.
Deposit slip to be sent to [email protected] requesting a Section 18A tax deductible certificate.
Cape Times