Pug Paradise: South African couple create sanctuary for hundreds of pugs

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Category: Human Interest

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. foster home / ˈfɔ stər hoʊm / (n.) – a place or setting where a person or an animal is briefly cared for
    Example:

    Many animal rescue organizations rely on foster homes to care for animals until they find their forever families.


  2. retirement / rɪˈtaɪər mənt / (n.) – the time in life when someone stops working because of old age
    Example:

    He can finally spend more time with his family during his retirement.


  3. neglect / nɪˈglɛkt / (v.) – to fail to give enough care and attention to people, animals, or things under one’s responsibility
    Example:

    The zoo had been neglecting its animals, so the authorities decided to close it and move the animals to a better zoo.


  4. complication / ˌkɒm plɪˈkeɪ ʃən / (n.) – a health issue or condition that makes a disease more difficult to manage and care for
    Example:

    Some illnesses, if ignored, can lead to more complications that require further treatment.


  5. veterinary / ˈvɛt ər əˌnɛr i / (adj.) – relating to the treatment and medical care of animals
    Example:

    The cost of veterinary care and services for farm animals can be very high.


Article

Read the text below.

A pug rescue center in South Africa has taken in more than 2,500 pugs since opening in 2008, with more pugs needing assistance in the last few years.


Pug Rescue is home to over 200 pugs and also has two foster homes in Johannesburg and Cape Town.


“So currently we have 208 pugs in our care. They’re not all at the rescue center, we do have some foster homes in Johannesburg, and then we also have foster homes in Cape Town. So there are more and more pugs needing assistance in these past few years because we have a major exit of people that are immigrating to various countries. At one stage there was a ban on flying any flat-faced dogs, and right now it is very, very expensive to get your animals overseas. And a lot of the overseas countries also don’t allow animals when you rent a property,” says Cheryl Gaw, who works as a pug rescuer after her retirement.


There are a number of reasons why pugs find themselves without a home.


Gaw says some pugs were rescued from neighbors who had been neglecting them or from owners who were no longer able to afford the expenses of having a pug.


Mduduzi Nkonzo, director and senior caregiver at Pug Rescue, explains that some people don’t realize the challenges of raising the pugs and the long-term complications they can come with.


“I think the biggest problem with people they don’t realize how pugs need veterinary care. They are quite expensive to look after pugs. But people they don’t realize that they see cuteness on the pugs and then they just rush to get a pug and then they can’t manage to look after the pug because they really have high vet bills, if I can say. Because they’ve got problems with eyes, they’ve got problems of backs, they’ve got problems of ear infections, so it’s quite really difficult. They are nice animals, but they are expensive to look after,” he says.


The Pug Rescue is reliant on donations and fundraising as this support comes from their followers on social media including international donors.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Some people adopt pets without fully understanding the challenges and responsibilities of caring for them. Why do you think some people do this? If someone can’t take care of their pet anymore, what do you think they should do? Discuss.
  • Is it easy or difficult to adopt a pet in your country? Why do you say so? In your opinion, what should be the rules or requirements before someone is allowed to adopt a pet? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Cheryl Gaw works as a pug rescuer after her retirement. What do you think inspires some people to work or volunteer at animal rescue centers after their retirement? After retirement, aside from working or volunteering at animal shelters, what other ways can people contribute to helping these organizations? Discuss.
  • After your retirement, would you consider doing something similar to what Cheryl Gaw is doing? Why or why not? Aside from animal care, what other social cause would you like to support during your retirement? Discuss.