Animal angel Ellen Dunning dies at 76

[caption id="attachment_96124" align="alignright" width="300"] DEVOTED TO DOGS: Ellen Dunning, founder of Domestic Animal Care, spent the last 37 years of her life caring for stray dogs. She is seen with some of those who benefited from her selfless dedication. Picture: JUDY DE VEGA[/caption]

ELLEN Dunning’s passion for animals saw her fighting to give a voice to the voiceless right until the end.

She died during the early hours of Saturday, at the age of 76.

Dunning, born on January 24 1939, was the founder of Port Elizabeth non-profit organisation Domestic Animal Care, and spent the last 37 years of her life taking care of strays in Walmer township and on Marine Drive.

Most days, her only meal was a cup of coffee and bread, and she used her pension to buy food for the city’s abandoned animals and to pay their vet bills.

She would get up early every morning to cook large pots of food to take into the township to feed dogs.

She would then bring dogs needing treatment or spaying to the vet.

Dunning, of Richmond Hill, died at Uitenhage’s Provincial Hospital after battling illness for the past year.

Volunteer Deidre Moonsamy felt overwhelmed at the big shoes she would now have to fill as she spoke yesterday about the legacy Dunning left behind.

She said for the past three years, Dunning – a friend and mentor – had groomed her to take over her charity.

-Kathryn Kimberley