Rabies scare has not reduced Cindy Smith’s passion for animal care

Nothing will stop Local Hero nominee Cindy Smith, 54, from Kei Mouth, from helping animals, not even a rabies scare.

Smith registered the Kei Rural Dog Project in 2021, which has shifted from a dog feeding scheme into an educational and sterilisation drive in the Cwili township and surrounding Wild Coast villages. 

Smith uses her bakkie as a travelling clinic and kennel, helping with worm, tick and flea removal and treating small wounds, while educating owners on proper care for their beloved pets. 

From 2020 until 2023, Smith brought food weekly to more than 40 dogs, but when she was exposed to a rabid dog in December, shifted gears before suffering major burnout. 

“Feeding hasn’t stopped altogether, if we have food we will deliver it.

“We have been out for emergencies, like if a dog has biliary or needs a deworming, but we have shifted our focus.

“Education is key and it shows. After the last four years, just by educating people on how to take care of animals properly and having them sterilised — you must see how beautiful the dogs are looking.”

The NPC has sterilised more than 110 dogs, and is organising a drive across the Kei River in August after a successful drive in April. 

Smith co-ordinated and funded two private vets to set up a makeshift clinic in the Cwili community hall where they sterilised 30 dogs.

Community members line up from early morning and Smith drives the animals home post-surgery.

“They start at eight in the morning, people bring their dogs and after recovery we take as many of the dogs home as possible.” 

The NPC has few corporate sponsors, but has been the beneficiary of donations in the past — such as charity organisation Santa Cause for Paws, which donated much-needed supplies over the festive season in 2023.

Smith said she also had some “awesome” individuals who would give when they could.

Smith took three months off at the start of this year after being exposed to rabies when a stray dog was discovered in the bushes near Kei Mouth.

“A dog was picked up just before Christmas Day last year and I brought it home, quarantined it but it passed away in under 36 hours.

“This was a six- to seven-month-old pup. It was sent to the state vet who did the necropsy.

“Testing takes roughly eight weeks for a diagnosis, but a rabid dog, you will never see anything like it.

“When you see a dog with rabies there is no doubt,” she said.

“They look very disorientated, a lot of articles say they froth at the mouth but not all do.

“It’s a disease that affects the brain, In Afrikaans, it’s called hondsdolheid [mad dog disease].

“I’ve got bangles on my wrist and as I picked it up, it bit [my arm] but hit the bangles.

“Even so, if saliva touches you and goes into an open wound there is a very good chance you will get the virus.

“Poor little thing. I could see this puppy was battling and all he wanted to do was rip me to pieces, and if it hadn’t had rabies it would’ve been the sweetest.”

The NPC has vaccinated more than 200 dogs for rabies and will continue to advocate for all animal owners to have their pets receive rabies shots. 

“What broke my heart is that I couldn’t hold him or comfort him, he died alone and this killed me,” Smith said.

Smith opened the Debracy Primate Foundation in 2023 as a homage to her close friend who passed away during lockdown. It is a rehabilitation centre for injured, orphaned or displaced primates.

It is now taking care of five orphaned vervet monkeys, one of which came to the sanctuary at only three days old. 

All the creatures have permits as it is illegal to own or shoot monkeys. 

“There are many reasons why they come here, either due to poaching, urbanisation, being hit by cars or shot by farmers.

“One baby here came too me at three days old, her little umbilical chord wasn’t even dry yet.

“The troop must’ve been running and jumped over a fence to get away from danger and she was impaled through the skin on her arm and the mother had to leave her behind, and they never leave their babies.

“Imagine how traumatic that must’ve been for them.”

Smith took over the name of her late friend’s  rehabilitation centre.

“It’s a labour of love. I saw Lyn with her babies and would visit her, it’s been a passion.

“When she passed on, her daughter Tracy sent me all of her equipment and I knew this is how I could honour her, with this new project.”

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