SA Rallies Around Courtney and Noupoort Animal Care After Shattering Fire

Snow blanketed Noupoort Animal Care’s kennels less than a week ago. The community rallied around Courtney and her four-legged rescues in their time of need. And then came the fire.... The post SA Rallies Around Courtney and Noupoort Animal Care After Shattering Fire appeared first on Good Things Guy.

May 14, 2026 - 09:11

SA Rallies Around Courtney and Noupoort Animal Care After Shattering Fire

Snow blanketed Noupoort Animal Care’s kennels less than a week ago. The community rallied around Courtney and her four-legged rescues in their time of need. And then came the fire.

Northern Cape, South Africa (14 May 2026) – On May 9, a fire broke out in Courtney’s home. She was outside tending to her animals when it started. By the time she got back inside, the flames had already taken hold.

Her first thought wasn’t herself, but the hundreds of animals she cares for, alongside her single helper. The two of them keep Noupoort Animal Care going.

When the fire devastatingly struck, Courtney went back in as many times as she could, getting as many animals out as possible, until the smoke and flames made it impossible to go any further. She was rushed to the hospital for smoke inhalation and minor injuries.

“She managed to save all except for one cat and a pug who sadly succumbed to the flames – the unimaginable horror is that she witnessed this happening in front of her, but by that time the flames were too severe to get to them. She was taken to hospital and treated for smoke inhalation and her hair was scorched. The actual shelter with the kennels and cattery are directly at the back of the house,” shared Nieu-Bethesda Animal Welfare in a plea to its community to assist. “Thank God the fire could be contained before reaching the kennels. Courtney has been checked out of hospital but is understandably devastated and in a total state of shock. The house is destroyed along with everything she owned. We are making plans to find temp alternative accomadation for the animals that stayed in the house.”

Standing outside, Courtney watched everything she had built and everything she owned turn to ashes.

She has been running Noupoort Animal Care for nearly sixteen years now. It all started as a mission to sterilise as many animals as possible, but it has grown into a shelter that has cared for thousands. Without a local vet, SPCA or animal welfare organisation in Noupoort, the town turns to Noupoort Animal Care when help is needed.

Courtney is the person the community calls when an animal is sick, injured, or has nowhere to go. She dewormed, vaccinated, and sat with ill animals when no one else around could.

Just days before the fire, Courtney was already in crisis mode. We shared that story. Noupoort had been hit by freezing cold, wet weather, the coldest conditions of the year. Snow had started blanketing outdoor kennels where the dogs are kept. Water bowls had frozen over. The shelter had no electricity. With 225 dogs and cats in her care, she was doing everything she could to keep blankets dry and kennels reinforced against the cold.

The community responded, sending a few thousand rand that went straight into blankets and food. That safe place, the one those animals had just been sheltered in through the snow, is now gone too.

The fire took everything. Courtney’s home, her clothes, her phone, her furniture, her food, her medicine. It also took critical shelter supplies including blankets, carriers, bowls, leashes, veterinary medicines, and equipment like nebulisers. Everything needs to be replaced.

An online crowdfunding campaign has been launched to help Courtney get back on her feet. The goal is R1,000,000 to help get Courtney, and the work she does through the shelter, back up and running again. Her community needs her.

If you’d like to help, you can donate by following this link. Courtney has spent sixteen years making sure Noupoort’s vulnerable animals have a safe space. She deserves that same kindness too.