Ingrid de Storie popularly known as “Mother Teresa of animals” is the co founder of 1 Kennel at a Time who has dedicated her life to giving protection and warmth to vulnerable animals in her area.
The animal rescue heroine says she felt from a young age the need to be a voice for the voiceless. Ingrid De Storie says her calling was to take care of abused and neglected animals as they are defenseless.
De Storie has been helping stray animals roaming the streets of her community, using the meagre proceeds from her fish and chips outlet for the past 20 years. She volunteered at Tears animal rescue for 18 years before opening her own rescue haven in her yard.
The initiative 1 Kennel at a Time was founded in 2014 after she and Corrine Wilson first worked together on what was supposed to be a one-day project, handing out doggy bags, and has now grown to five volunteers.
De Storie said she walked her community of Ocean View in search of hungry and sick dogs and cats, and rescued them with the help of Tears and the SPCA.
She said everyone in Ocean View knows that if an animal is sick or hit by a car, they can come to her, regardless of the time.
De Storie said animals have been killed and used in gang initiations, including being boiled alive, having their feet cut off, being tied to train tracks, burnt alive and used in fights.
“I hate dog fighting and I’m not scared to confront people who do it,’’ she said, adding that she had earned respect from her community for her animal advocacy.
According to De Storie the intention on 1 Kennel at a Time is to help people rather than take animals away, as shelters are overflowing with animals and there aren’t enough homes available.She said they have a temporary safety net for people who surrender their animals when they can’t afford them.
To date, the 1 Kennel at a Time team has supplied more than 700 kennels and has educated pet owners.
“We encourage sterilisation by offering pet owners free kennels in lieu of them sterilising their pets,” said De Storie.
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