You do not have to be employed to love your furry companion enough to care about its health.
This was shown on Wednesday during one of the department of agriculture stopovers on the West Rand as part of their rabies vaccination programme for dogs and cats.
The venue: an area called Video, just off Beyers Naudé Drive and barely outside the Roodepoort border, heading towards Krugersdorp.
The department's Benedict Mojanaga took time out from disease prevention to chat with TimesLIVE Premium.
“On average, we do two of these visits per week in different areas, normally on a Wednesday or a Thursday,” Mojanaga said on Wednesday.
The vets vaccinate the grown dogs against rabies and the puppies get a five-in-one vax, which vaccinates them against diseases like parvo, K9 distemper an K9 hepatitis.
“This morning we had a few dogs but by lunch it quieted down a bit. We advertise our visits through area WhatsApp groups, posters and ward councillors.”
Mojanaga is a dog lover.
“I have two rottweilers and a Jack Russell. I love this work. It makes me happy to provide help to the community, especially to people who can't afford a commercial vet,” he said.
“Our main aim here is the future and disease prevention. Especially rabies, as it can be transmitted from animal to human.”
Yvonne Seshotlo, 22, asked not to be photographed, but her love for puppy Denzil shines through.
“I may be unemployed, but unemployed people still have the right to love a dog,” Seshotlo smiled with little Denzil on her lap. “My mom told me to bring all three dogs. She phoned me from her work when she heard about this opportunity.”
Seshotlo brought three mixed-breed furry family members.
“Denzil, Spotty and Killer. Denzil is very small still. He arrived this month and you saw now how brave he was, he did not even make a noise when he got the jab.”
While Mogale City's Shenin Cochrane is scurrying about vaccinating dogs, she is interrupted by a visitor. Later, Douglas Vries, 44, tells TimesLIVE Premium his happy story.
“I attended one of these events two weeks ago. I brought my pitbull 'Jub Jub' and this lady saw some mange on my dog's behind. She gave me oil to rub in once a day. He is so much better now, he is almost healed. I heard they were here today, and I just came in to thank them,” Vries said.
Themba Mqwashu, 33, is an artist.
“I have my dog Simba here. He is a great dog. I do anything from tattoos to modern art and T-shirt printing. Money is tight, and these people are doing a good job. Nothing in life is free, except the love here,” Mqwashu said.
“We all love animals and enjoy doing this,” said Cochrane.
“It is great to hear stories like Jub Jub's. People must not be afraid to bring their dogs and cats for whatever reason. I promise we are not here to steal anyone's pet. We want to help. If possible, please just put your animal on a leash. That helps us a lot.”
But the job is far from done.
“Tomorrow morning we will be at Oak Tree filling station between 9am and 12pm. After that we will be in Peacock informal settlement on Hole In One Avenue in Ruimsig.”
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