Visit to shine a light on the work of vet volunteers

Comedian and broadcaster Bill Oddie is heading to South Africa later on this month to highlight the plight of dogs and cats in the country's poorest communities.

A keen conservationist and champion of animal welfare issues, Bill plans to visit projects being run in October by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). These include CLAW in Soweto outside Johannesburg and Mdzananda in Khayelitsha outside Cape Town.

Bill will see first-hand the vital service provided by the free mobile veterinary clinics, which offer neutering, vaccinations and other veterinary care, as well as educating people living in extreme poverty about caring for their pets.

During his trip, Bill will also meet Lily the Warrior, a dog now known all over the world for her bravery. IFAW's Mdzananda Animal Clinic rescued her after she was buried alive on the orders of a high school principal who said she was a nuisance.

Having been underground in a metre-deep pit for at least 30 minutes, Lily was barely alive when staff from the clinic reached her in October 2011.

After a two-year court case, two janitors and the principle were found guilty of animal cruelty and sentenced to community service and fines. In addition, the principle was ordered to introduce a humane education programme at the school.

The dog was initially named "Warrior" by clinic staff, but then renamed Lily by her new owner, a local journalist who adopted the greyhound-like cross breed after covering the story in her newspaper.

Robbie Marsland, UK director of IFAW, said: "The story of Lily’s survival is a tribute to her spirit, and to the wonderful staff of our dog and cat clinic in Cape Town. Today Lily is intelligent and obedient, playful and inquisitive – everything a happy dog should be. Her story is inspiring.

"The dedicated staff and volunteers at our clinics do amazing work for people and their animals and the need is endless. We are delighted that Bill is able to highlight these important projects."

On Friday, October 18, Lily and Bill will be the guests of honour at an event at Mdzananda, where a quilt will be handed over, made from swatches of patchwork with messages of support for Lily from 3,000 people worldwide. Other blankets made for the dogs at the clinic will also be handed over at the same time.

Qualified vet volunteers looking to take part in the IFAW projects can contact IFAW by email.

Image  ©IFAW/T. Samson