3 Swartland communities awoke to disaster when two retention dams collapsed in the early morning hours on Thursday, the 8th of August. Fast-flowing water ran through the streets, shifting houses and leaving devastation in its wake. The communities of Dassenberg, Chatsworth and Riverlands are flooded while a 4th dam’s water levels are being closely monitored. Inspectors from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and Swartland SPCA are on the ground, actively seeking out survivors, displaced animals and those at further risk of harm. There have been many animal casualties.
We are working closely with the Disaster Risk Management Centre and we have an Inspector stationed at the Joint Operations Centre to facilitate a co-ordinated emergency response to the areas of greatest need. The flooded areas can only be accessed on foot and we’re hard at work searching for the survivors amongst those whose lives have sadly already been lost to the water.
Discussions with community leaders suggest that hundreds of farm animals and horses are missing and that all animal feed has been washed away.
There is a desperate need to help this community, please consider a donation in support of our rescue efforts or a donation of Oathay, fresh fruit or vegetables.
The Cape of Good Hope and Swartland and West Coast Inspectors are back in the field today searching for the hundreds of farm animals and horses reported missing. With all animal feed washed away and grazing areas covered in sludge, there was an immediate need to share food from our own food stores. We’ve handed out dog food and bales of oathay to address the immediate hunger but we urgently need donations of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as oathay and dry dog and cat food. We have come across dogs that were injured when they were taken by the flowing water and are heartbreakingly beyond help. The situation is dire and the search is taking an emotional toll on our team.
Please send whatever help you can.
We will not stop searching until we’re sure that no animal in need of help has been left behind but we can’t do this alone. We know you’re always right beside us in times of crisis and thank you so much for your support that makes our disaster relief efforts possible.
With thanks to our friends at Checkers, donations of pet food, blankets and other animal care essentials can be dropped off at the following locations:
• Pet Shop Science Stores Laguna Mall
• Pet Shop Science Store De Zwartland Werf
• Checkers Big Bay
Drop offs can also be made at the Cape of Good Hope, Darling and Swartland SPCA’s as well as at the Riverlands Primary School where there is a well co-ordinated effort to distribute goods to the community.
Donate now to support our rescue efforts that will span over several days.
