Written by Amber du Preez – Public Relations Officer: Garden Route SPCA
Photographs supplied by Garden Route SPCA
The devoted work of the SPCA foot soldiers and the power of social media were once again highlighted by the heartwarming story of the reunion of the Muteyi family with their beloved cat, Kietsie, who was tragically separated from them earlier this year.
The Muteyi family from George were driving back from work on the 30th of January when they were involved in a car accident just outside of Mossel Bay. The family survived the ordeal, but Kietsie, who was travelling with them, was flung from the vehicle and became separated from the family, leaving their hearts in tatters.
Fortunately, Kietsie was spotted some weeks later roaming one of the housing complexes opposite the SPCA Mossel Bay by the SPCA’s Mary-Ann Chordnum. Mary-Ann had noticed the cat was in bad shape and brought him into the SPCA as a stray, where he received treatment for biliary and made a complete recovery.
As per protocol, Kietsie stayed on as a stray for a period of seven days, during which time his owners were free to claim him, but as the family was still reeling and recovering from the accident, Kietsie went unclaimed and entered the SPCA adoption process.
Nearly two months later, still heartbroken from the loss of their cat but finally finding their feet again following the accident, the Muteyi family began browsing the local SPCA Facebook pages, and what did they see staring at them from the adoption pages of the Mossel Bay SPCA? The unmistakable green eyes of their lost, but far-from-forgotten Kietsie.
Overcome with joy, Mrs Muteyi hired a taxi from George to come and identify her cat and explain the tragic circumstances that had led to their separation. In consultation with the George SPCA, a property inspection was swiftly arranged and approved, and Kietsie was returned to his delighted family, fully vaccinated, sterilised and microchipped. Ginger, the Muteyi’s dog (pictured below), was also sterilised at the same time, free of charge.
The SPCA is proud to be part of this happy family reunion and would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the local community for all the help and support it receives, which make stories such as this possible. As part of its ongoing commitment to keeping the community’s animals happily homed and healthy, the SPCA is striving to increase its feet in the field with a team of recruits who are as qualified and right for the job as they are passionate about this important cause.
If you’d like to volunteer your help or services to the SPCA, please get in touch on www.grspca.co.za.
Mrs Muteyi shares a bit...
We were so happy to get Kietsie back. I’m so grateful for the GRSPCA’s assistance in reuniting us with my beloved pet. Kietsie is so happy to be back home with his doggy friend, Ginger, who was also sterilised, vaccinated and dewormed by the SPCA. They’re best friends and grew up together.
