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08 October 2007

Topaz, an 11 month old female cat had severe complications with her pregnancy this weekend and despite her owner’s best efforts, nobody would assist her due to her not being able to pay. Her story follows below.

Topaz started labour Friday evening and somewhere during the weekend things went terribly wrong. She was bleeding profusely by Saturday evening and by Sunday morning had stopped eating and drinking water. Her owner, now terribly concerned as Topaz was in an incredible amount of pain and was obviously not going to make it through this without medical assistance started driving around looking for a Vet willing to assist.

Upon arriving at the first Vet in Winkelspruit there was a number to call and if no response you had to call someone else. This was not good enough, Topaz needed help immediately. Her owner rushed to the Doonside Vet Clinic phoned their emergency number which was Dr Lloyd, on his cell. He was the doctor on call this weekend. His prompt reply was that no money, no service, it was a Sunday after all. How could Topaz expect him to come out and help her in her time of need if he wasn’t going to get paid immediately?

Topaz and her mom then drove to the Amanzimtoti SPCA where she was told that they couldn’t help her on a Sunday and only take in stray animals over weekends.  The lady told her that she had no idea who could assist her at this stage, but she should surely call them at 08:30am the next day. What wonderful service! Topaz was by now screaming and shouldn’t have had to care about money. Her mom called a Vet in Scottsburgh in the hopes that they could help, only to be told that good old Dr Lloyd was their on-call Vet. Marvelous.

Topaz and her mom had to go home with no help coming from the people who were supposed to be there for animals in need. Not willing to give up just yet her mom phoned Ashburton Vet Clinic. Chantelle promptly told Topaz’s mom that she must come on over with her R500.00 to R1 000.00 deposit. Once again, no money = no service.

Topaz eventually decided to go hide, as most animals do when they are suffering, and her mom couldn’t find her until this morning. She was lying in a little hole in a pool of blood and crying from pain. Thank God she had made it through the night. Her mom emailed Abandoned this morning in desperation and with no idea who would be willing to help anymore. Being so far away we could only suggest she contact the local SAVA Clinic in Amanzimtoti.  We felt as helpless and as upset as she was after having read about poor Topaz’s ordeal.

The Amanzimtoti SPCA was contacted and they came to pick Topaz up early this morning and rushed her to the SAVA Clinic where Dr Hoole quickly got to working on her. Her kittens had all died, but they were going to save Topaz. The cost would be between R1 500.00 and R2 000.00, but her mom didn’t have to pay upfront. We salute you Dr Hoole, for doing what all Vets should do, helping those animals in need before you help your own bank account increase.

Our hearts go out to Topaz and her mom and hope that she will be home soon after her very traumatic experience.

Some words from Topaz’s mom: “Really, is this the type of treatment that animal lovers must get when they are in need.  I really feel this is not acceptable and would like to take it further.
Somebody must be able to help, even if is even just an account.  Really it is a life that we are talking about here.”

That is perhaps the most important thing that is forgotten. Animals are just as important as you and I and should be treated with just as much respect when they are in need. Topaz spent an entire weekend with a bundle of dead kittens inside her and nobody wanted to help. Is this how we treat our pets in South Africa? We would just like to say to all those in the animal care industries that you are there to CARE for our animals and if that is not your sole purpose then we suggest you find yourself alternative means of income. We do not need coldhearted people looking after our best friends.

We all ask that all organizations please ensure that all staff are aware of emergency numbers and alternative clinics or Vets willing to assist. Topaz could’ve died this weekend and had it not been for the fact that she clearly is a fighter, she probably would’ve. Take care Topaz, you and your mom can always contact us for help in the future.

There is a discussion on this story on our forum. Please do visit and participate if you wish.