Pet Haven Society

Biscuit is a puppy who is approximately three months old, named after the lightly-toasted colour of her fur. She came to Pet Haven’s attention in mid-October 2017. She is one of two stray sibling dogs who were attacked by adult dogs before being rescued by a passer-by. Her sister was less lucky, unfortunately being killed in the process.

Upon arrival at the Pet Haven site, Biscuit was seen by the veterinarian, who tended to the lacerations around her neck, as well as her swollen back leg and her limp. She seemed terrified of humans and dogs alike as she cowered whenever held, her heart beating rapidly against her emaciated rib cage. With care and close supervision, little Biscuit began to show signs of relaxation and getting back to normality after four days in the Pet Haven Society. From refusing to walk and hiding in the nearest bush, Biscuit has progressed to the point where she enjoys sliding down grassy slopes on her belly. She now wags her tail frequently, but keeps her distance from other cats and dogs. Pet Haven thanks the passer-by for his compassion and kindness in rescuing this gem of a dog.

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  Biscuit - before & after
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A lawyer rescued this semi-feral black and white kitten, six weeks old at the time, from a public bin in Anse Etoile, north Mahé, on his way to work. The Pet Haven team decided to name her Cupid after the distinct heart shape on her right thigh.

Today, she is no longer ruffled by events that would normally send other felines scampering for somewhere to hide, instead calmly sitting around, unaffected by anything. This is in sharp contrast to Pet Haven’s first encounter with Cupid, when she would not allow anyone near her. She would spit and lash out wildly with her razor-sharp claws. The only way her rescuer and, later, the Pet Haven staff could handle her was by using a thick towel or heavy gloves. Within a short space of time, however, and with great patience and kindness from the Pet Haven staff, Cupid has once again found her composure. She takes a keen interest in any technical task being carried out by her adopters, sitting and observing closely. She also enjoys sitting under the tap, allowing water to flow freely onto her head and back, all the while tapping the flow as it runs down the drain. Pet Haven wishes to thank Cupid’s rescuer.

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  Cupid - before & after
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A tiny, soaking-wet ginger and white fluffball, dwarfed by a background of debris from fly tipping. A helpless kitten, barely two or three weeks old; someone’s pet discarded as if it were garbage. Did the owner not even stop to think that he or she was throwing away a precious, defenceless living creature? Abandoned to the merciless elements, to hungry creatures, to fast-moving industrial vehicles on the Ile du Port in central Mahé, Fish was found when a member of Pet Haven was, thankfully, topping up the stray feeding station with food and water. It was at this point that she head a small meow coming from a distorted cardboard box. The kitten’s soaking wet appearance earned her the name “Mr Fish”, until it was discovered that she was a girl. The name “Fish” stuck, and today she is a fluffy, lovable, and highly intelligent cat. She took “Scruffy”, a rescued juvenile feline, under her wing when she was spat at and rejected by most other members of the adoptive cats. After six months or so, Fish’s rehabilitated kitten has finally evolved into a handsome, confident cat in her own right, no longer a nervous wreck, fearful of other cats or of humans. Thank you Fish, our right-hand helper at Pet Haven!

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  Fish - before & after
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A friend referred this little ginger and white kitten to Pet Haven. The eight-week-old cat was rescued in the middle of the night soon after Pet Haven took the phone call. He was so dirty that he looked ginger and grey instead of ginger and white, and his ribs stuck out as he walked along with his back legs, rather strangely, in a crouched position. His home next to the public bins answered any questions we might have had about his odd gait. Home for him was a pile of discarded, weather-beaten, warped plywood sheets. For his own protection against prowling dogs who also raided these bins, Junior cleverly squeezed into small gaps for hours at a time, explaining his peculiar posture. Within a couple of months at Pet Haven, however, this curious walk had corrected itself.

Since Pet Haven already had an older kitten (Bod), who was remarkably similar in colour and markings, the younger kitten was named Junior. Bod and his new companion have since become inseparable, especially since Junior caught up in size and strength, and it is now difficult to distinguish one from the other. The two are now like brothers from different points on the map: Bod from Anse aux Pins in south Mahé and Junior from Glacis in north Mahé. Once again, Junior is an example of a pet discarded as garbage who has turned out to be an endearing character with a little care and compassion.

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  Junior - before & after
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Hope was rescued by two German tourists, Yvonne and Marcus. They told us that they found her with a rope around her neck, to which a rock was attached, in the jungle in south Mahé. Although she was half-starved, she dragged herself to them, full of trust, even though a person had done this to her just before. According to Yvonna and Marcus: “There was no suspicion, no anger, just gratitude. Gratitude for a little water, for some dog food, for a few cuddles.”

Upon hearing Yvonne and Marcus’ call for help, the Pet Haven team dropped everything on a Sunday and drove across the island to rescue her. The name “Hope” came straight from the heart with the promise that she will be loved from now on. The Pet Haven Society thanks Yvonne and Marcus for their compassion in rescuing Hope.

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  Hope - before & after