KLOOF resident Tracy Mclelland is a heroine to many dog lovers in the Upper Highway area.
With many hats on, from being a full-time manager for a financial company and a mother, she also wears her “superhero” cape and rescues and re-homes dogs in her spare time.
Mclelland’s “rescue days” started when she saw a post on Facebook about Ziggy, Zoey, Lucy and Gunner – dogs that were rescued in Durban North.
“I decided to raise funds for them at the Kloof and Highway SPCA. I often went to visit them at the kennels. I realised that attempting to re-home dogs was something I could be successful at,” she said.
Mclelland’s love for dogs soon evolved from an interest to a calling!
“It’s not easy juggling a full-time job with the needs of our less fortunate animals and not all of the rescues have taken place in the Upper Highway area.
The dedicated volunteer travels to wherever she is needed to rescue and re-home dogs, and even helps to get medical treatment for them when needed.
“I’m often called upon to assist where transport is a problem. When strays are found and need to be moved to the SPCA, I become the driver of a ‘pet taxi’.
“Using social network sites I can often speedily reunite pets with their owners as our groups have an extensive reach through the large number of members involved from many areas.”
Mclelland also assists Pact, Animally Haven, Pinetown Pet Rescue as well as people who contact her.
“Some of the areas I go into can be very dangerous with vagrants and drug addicts lurking around.
“But that won’t stop me. We need to be there for animals that don’t have a voice or bank account.”
She thanked the community for assisting whenever needed.
“I am so lucky to be living and working with this amazing community. They are truly awesome.
“They are always there, be it with donations, advice, sharing posts, messages of encouragement or just good wishes.
“Everyone plays their part. I wouldn’t have so many successful rescues if I tried to go it alone,” added Mclelland.
