Update
MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Sophie, the two-year-old border collie cross, who was rescued last year after she was given away by her original owner to a security company, has officially found a loving home.
George residents, Tara and Chase Demont, arrived at the Garden Route SPCA Mossel Bay branch on Tuesday afternoon, 14 January, to pick up the newest addition to their family and were immediately bombarded with cuddles and kisses from Sophie.
She had originally been adopted from the SPCA by a Hartenbos resident in 2022 when she was just three months old, however, when the SPCA went to conduct a home inspection in August last year, Sophie was nowhere to be seen.
Garden Route SPCA Mossel Bay branch manager, Elize Goosen, told Mossel Bay Advertiser after this that Sophie's owner told the SPCA she had donated Sophie to a security company. Goosen said the owner told the SPCA Sophie was highly aggressive and she had to give her away.
Legally binding
Goosen said then that the SPCA's adoption process is legally binding and that the contract, which each person must sign upon adopting an animal from the organisation, states that the adopter will not part with the animal, except to return it to the SPCA, if for any reason they are unable to keep it.
It also states that the adopter "will not use or allow the animal to be used as a watchdog on any industrial or commercial premises".
Therefore, when the SPCA found the company Sophie had been donated to, they asked that it give her back to the SPCA. Goosen said the company initially refused but on 29 November, she was returned.
Thus began the wait for Sophie's permanent home.
Tara told the Advertiser she had seen a few photos and a video of Sophie on the SPCA's Facebook page and knew immediately that she wanted to bring her home.
"When Chase and I went to the SPCA to see her, she ran up to me and gave me a big kiss. It was love at first sight," she said.
On 30 December, the pair applied to adopt Sophie and on 3 January, a property inspection was conducted.
Lots of space
On 14 January, Sophie was fetched by her new family and taken to a home with two other dogs and lots of space to run around in and play.
"She is wonderful and she fits in with our two dogs so well. She and I cuddled when we got home and on Wednesday, when I let her and the other dogs out in the morning, she ran out to play with them."
Garden Route SPCA Mossel Bay's Kay Ievers, who manages the adoptions at the SPCA, says she is over the moon that Sophie has been adopted, although she will be missed by everyone at the SPCA.
"She is so smart and loving and I know she will be happy in her new home, with people who love her."
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