Written by Julia Travis – Social Media for PlumPets Animal Shelter
Professional photography by Nat Gold ZA
When Southfield resident Craig Diedericks went into his yard, he wasn’t expecting to find a kitten in a canal…
Tied up in a bag
On the night of the 23rd of May 2022, Craig distinctly heard a cat crying in distress. It sounded like it came from the canal alongside his yard. He looked over the wall but couldn’t see anything, so he and his son went around with a torch and checked in the canal.
Craig was shocked to see something inside a clear plastic bag in the canal moving around. He got hold of his neighbour who has the key to the canal gate to open up and, together, they jumped in to retrieve the bag. Opening the sodden bag, they found a soaking-wet terrified pale-ginger kitten, near drowned, completely submerged in the water.
Craig believes someone, most likely a local resident, cruelly threw the kitten over the fence into the canal, leaving it to die.
Urgent plea for help
Craig immediately released the kitten from what would have been a terrible death and got it to safety, then posted an urgent plea on a community WhatsApp group for lost animals in the area. Emma Konemann responded to his plea for help. Within five minutes she arrived, retrieved the cat, and brought it to Paulette Bousfield at PlumPets Animal Shelter.
This miraculous rescue kitty was named River. He received expert medical care from our vet, Dr Duncan Stevens, and had to be carefully observed to make sure he didn’t have seizures due to the lack of oxygen. Thankfully, he was fine.
River was checked for FIV (feline AIDS) and Feline Leukaemia and fortunately tested negative. After treating him for snuffles, River made a full recovery, and we then started sharing his story, hoping to find the perfect ending to his rescue story: his forever home.
River’s happily ever after
When the Plumstead Animal Hospital receptionist, Stephané Richter, first saw River, she just knew that he was going to be an important part of her life. While waiting for his all-clear from Dr Duncan, Stephané gave River lots of love – she was always telling him she wanted him to have a “playdate” with her other adopted fur child, Xena (also from PlumPets). So, one public holiday, Stephané took River home to meet Xena.
It was love at first sight and the duo was soon inseparable. River has now officially been adopted by Stephané and her partner, Rahul, and he has one feline sister to keep him on his toes! He also has a new canine foster sister, also from PlumPets, whose name is Honey.
River's new Mom, Stephané, says, “River loves to sleep on our pillows with Xena and loves his toys! He also has found a new adventure, catching water droplets through the glass while we’re showering!
“But nothing is better than food and treats for this handsome boy! Still learning to jump on higher surfaces like his fur sister, he definitely makes his presence known by climbing up my leg for a snack. We’ve loved him from the very minute we met him, and we’re so blessed to be part of his life.”
Thank you, Stephané and Rahul, for giving River his happily ever after. From an unwanted kitten cruelly left to die, to a happy new life where he’s wanted and loved. This little warrior kitty now has all the love and care that he deserves.
