The long journey home for Stephen Black Lion Singhini and his faithful dog, Fireman, has been delayed, but their supporters say every extra day is worth it if it means the pair can finally be reunited in Malawi.
Image: FACEBOOK
The long journey home for Stephen Black Lion Singhini and his faithful dog, Fireman, has been delayed, but their supporters say every extra day is worth it if it means the pair can finally be reunited in Malawi.
St Francis Animal Rescue announced that both Singhini's and Fireman's departures have been postponed to allow the dog to complete the final stages of the strict international travel process required for pets.
"There has been a delay in the departure of both Stephen and Fireman on their journey to Malawi," the rescue organisation said.
Fireman could only be booked onto a flight 30 days after receiving the required vaccinations, being microchipped and undergoing a comprehensive health examination by veterinarian Dr Annelise Barker of Humansdorp Vet Clinic.
The dog is now scheduled to depart on July 31, travelling from Gqeberha via Gauteng to Lilongwe. Before boarding, Fireman must undergo another veterinary examination and obtain a final health certificate.
The rescue organisation said Singhini had also changed his travel plans to ensure he would be in Malawi in time to meet his beloved companion.
"Stephen has had to delay his journey and book a seat on a bus to arrive in time to connect with Fireman in Lilongwe. A later bus will also avoid the congestion and confusion currently being experienced at the Mozambique-Lilongwe border," it said.
Singhini, a Malawian national, says he fled South Africa after xenophobic threats forced him to leave the country without Fireman, the dog he had raised since puppyhood. But he did not want to leave his canine companion.
Because international pet travel requires vaccinations, microchipping, permits and health clearances, Fireman could not accompany him immediately. St Francis Animal Rescue launched a campaign to reunite them, with supporters donating towards the dog's relocation and Singhini's journey home.
The organisation said the complex operation had only been possible through the efforts of numerous people working behind the scenes.
It thanked Tarika Bassinger for helping coordinate Fireman's relocation and said Bev Trataris, a trustee of the Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (LSPCA), would collect Fireman after he landed in Malawi and care for him in kennels until Singhini arrived.
As the final preparations continue, the rescue organisation said it would keep supporters informed of the pair's progress.
"We will continue to provide updates on this journey and the reunion of Stephen and Fireman in Malawi.
"Our sincere and grateful thanks go to the generosity and kindness of all those friends, supporters and complete strangers who were touched by Stephen and Fireman's love story, and did everything possible to keep these two together."
IOL News