Facebook page We Love Animal News has 109 thousand followers, and is dedicated to “cherishing all creatures, big and small”. They share wholesome and uplifting animal stories and photos. Some of which might melt your heart. Keep scrolling for our favorites, and don’t miss the chat Bored Panda had with animal rescue expert, Clare Travers. She’s the Canine Manager at Animal Welfare Helderberg. “It was two months ago,” she goes on to tell Bored Panda. “A member of the public called us about a puppy that was living on a rubbish dump. Our inspector went out and collected her, and brought her back to the kennels. She was around 3 months old and had been on the dump from about 6 weeks of age, withstanding the elements and struggling to survive. She was in horrific condition and severely neglected and emaciated. One of her legs was only half a leg and terribly infected. She was so sad and depressed on arrival.” Thankfully, Cindy’s story had a happy ending. “With the help of the public we raised enough money to cover all her medical costs as well as her leg amputation,” Travers told us. “A foster home came forward, her adoption fee was sponsored, and as soon as she was ready for adoption the most wonderful family came forward to adopt her and give her a loving home. It wasn’t easy for Cindy and she went through a lot but we both kept our promises to each other. Today she is living her best life and in the most beautiful family home.” “Many animals suffer and don’t get the help that they need. Many dogs are brought to our shelter for medical treatment. It’s very hard to see their owners and how they are treated, because often you can tell that the dogs don’t belong in a good home but there’s nothing you can do about it. It’s also incredibly sad when stray animals are picked up on the streets and they are in the most neglected and sad condition and you think about the tough life they have lived.” “My average day would involve taking in strays, taking in surrenders, dealing with adoptions, doing home checks, making sure all the kennel animals are healthy, assisting the public that are coming to view the animals, taking dogs into theater for sterilization and other operations, getting all vaccinations and deworming up to date. Lots of admin work.” Travers is a Jill of all trades, doing a little bit of a lot every single day. All in the name of dogs. “Getting any ill dogs checked out by the vet, networking, advertising and posting animals on our social media pages, dealing with a huge amount of phone calls, emails and WhatsApps from the public that need help with rehoming their dogs or helping their sick animals, and the list goes on,” she explained. “The second thing that I find very rewarding is when abused dogs arrive at the kennels that are petrified of the human race and after a few days of working gently with them they transform into happy, loving and confident dogs. It’s incredibly rewarding to see that transformation.” It’s why Travers finds it hard to part with the dogs that do get adopted. Her aim is to find forever homes for all the dogs. But she says it’s bittersweet each time an adoption happens. “It’s so wonderful to see them go off to loving homes. It’s really beautiful. But when they get adopted, it’s so hard to see them go and to say goodbye. Knowing that you’ve invested so much of yourself into the dog and the dog just gets taken away, it’s a very hard thing to deal with. It’s really hard to let go,” said Travers and we could hear the sadness in her voice. But it goes a little deeper. For dogs, cats, horses, bunnies, and other animals alike. “If you are adopting a specific breed, make sure you understand this breed and have researched their temperament, character and personality," explained Travers. “Make sure that they are suited to your life. For example, a border collie is very well suited to an active person with a large spacious home or a farm.” Travers has two adopted dogs of her own. So she knows what she’s talking about when she says the rescues are among the most loving and loyal. But this woman doesn’t discriminate. To her, all animals are amazing. “Animals cannot speak for themselves, yet they are unconditionally loving and so loyal and devoted to their owner,” she told us. “They have such a positive effect on our life and it’s a known fact that our bodies release a lot of endorphins in their presence- the hormones that make us feel good and lift our mood.” Follow Bored Panda on Google News! Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda! Please use high-res photos without watermarks Ooops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.
