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Sterilisation is the solution

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17,000 dogs and cats come through the doors of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA every year. That’s nearly 1500 animals a month.

Hard to imagine, right?

Pet over-population is a chronic and serious issue in the Western Cape. Just one unsterilised pet and its offspring can produce over 60,000 lives in 6 years! And there simply aren’t enough homes for all these animals.

At the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, we believe that pet over-population and the resulting neglect, abuse, relinquishment to animal shelters and subsequent euthanasia of many of these animals are preventable problems with a rational solution.

The solution is sterilisation programmes.

With this in mind, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and Infurmation partnered together to offer free sterilisations to residents in Vrygrond, Capricorn Park.

In July last year, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA was approached by a group of Marina Da Gama residents who wanted to do their part to help animals on Mandela Day. Their aim was to speak to animal owners in Capricorn Park about their pet’s health and hand out educational flyers on common pet health problems such as worms, ticks, fleas and mange. Their other goal was to obtain a list of pet owners who wished to have their unsterilised animals sterilised.

The result of the volunteers’ efforts was a list of 32 people with 78 cats and dogs. They were all willing to have their pets sterilised at the SPCA, but were unable to pay for the surgeries themselves.

Infurmation was able to secure funding for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA so that they could conduct free sterilisations for these residents in Capricorn Park.

In November 2016, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s Education Team began visiting the houses on the list, one by one, collecting animals to be brought back to the SPCA Animal Hospital in Grassy Park.

Unfortunately, many residents were sleeping during the day when our Education Team knocked on their door, which meant that we weren’t able to sterilise their animals. However, the team visited other local residents to offer free sterilisations and, as with every community we reach, some people were willing but others couldn’t be convinced about the benefits of having their animals sterilised.

But the team persevered and once the sterilisations were completed, the animals were returned to their owners who were extremely grateful for the veterinary care their animals received.

In less than a month, we were able to sterilise 63 cats and dogs.

The long term benefit of this project will be a reduced number of unwanted litters, improved health and welfare, a decline in aggressive dog behaviour and a reduced amount of strays. It will also help to reduce the phenomenal costs that animal shelters, municipalities and the public carry due to addressing these animal welfare problems.

By working together, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and Infurmation recognised the cause rather than the symptoms of the dire state of animals in Cape Town’s informal settlements and made a lasting impact on their lives.

Gemma, the cat with nine lives who found a way home after Knysna fires

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Gemma the cat, whose paws were burnt during the Knysna fires, has been returned to her humans.
Image: Knysna Animal Welfare Society via Facebook

Gemma‚ the tenacious cat who found her way home six days after the fires‚ was one of the hundreds of pets caught up in the disaster that left parts of the Garden Route devastated a month ago.

Her story‚ unlike many of the pet casualties caught up in the inferno‚ had a happy ending.

“The feeling was indescribable when I saw Gemma again‚” said Lelanie Du Toit. “When the fire came Gemma was missing. Because she loved the outdoors I knew she was somewhere in the backyard but I couldn’t find her so I had to leave her behind with tears in my eyes. We have had her for 16 years and she is part of the family”.

Du Toit said that she and her family had made peace with never seeing Gemma again until one day they heard cat noises at the back door. Gemma had crawled back home with severely burnt paws.

Animal welfare centres were filled to capacity as families lost or were forced to evacuate their homes‚ not knowing what to do with their beloved pets.

Residents coming to terms with the long term consequences of losing their homes – having to stay in rented or temporary accommodation – are now being forced to put their pets up for adoption.

The Knysna Animal Welfare Society‚ inundated with pets‚ had to ask for assistance from the SPCA in George which in turn called other branches to help as the task to save the animals became near impossible.

Anneline Kitley‚ manager at the Knysna Animal Welfare Society‚ said the initial outpouring of help after the fires was tremendous but now many who lost their homes did not know what to do with their animals.

“We had a lot of animals that we had to look after because the owners were looking for other accommodation. Everybody just opened their hearts for people to come and stay with them and obviously not thinking long term and that it might be a problem later on. They need to look for other homes for their animals because they have lost everything‚” said Kitley.

She said that their small facility could normally only house 60 animals at a time but were caring for twice as many. The centre runs as a hospital and place of recovery for the fire victims.

“We have two cats whose owners’ homes burnt down and they just realised that wherever they try to get a place to live‚ whether it is at a B&B or at a guest house they can’t bring their animals so they asked us to look for a home for the cats‚” said Kitley.

“Some of the animals here are still recovering from their burn wounds‚ the owners come in regularly to visit. These animals are still with bandages around their feet so we keep them here and nurse them back to health‚” said Kitley.

Noreen Sass‚ a nurse with four decades of experience who specialises in wound care‚ helped to treat the burnt animals.

“I went around to the vets to show them how to treat burn wounds. I would use the dressing I would use on human patients on the animals” she said.

Many of the burns were only treated a week after the fire because animals had fled and only returned later.

“Some of them really suffered serious burn wounds and others’ wounds were so bad that they had little to no chance of survival. We decided to euthanise these animals. The feet of the animals had the most burn wounds because they walked on coals‚” said Sass.

Salome Bruyns‚ senior Inspector for the SPCA Garden Route‚ said: “We travelled to and fro between George and Knysna every day for two weeks to see if there were any animals roaming the streets. The fire was so intense that some animals escaped from their homes and only after the fire subsided‚ which was a week later‚ did they come out of hiding‚ seriously injured.

“We walked in the plantations and on farms where we would find pigs and cows that had died. A lot of people who locked their animals in their homes during the day said that when they returned home they found their homes burnt to the ground with the animals inside.”

Bruyns said that a lot of animals still remain missing four weeks after the fire. Owners do not know if their pets are dead or alive.

Written by: Petru Saal
Source:  TimesLIVE

Dogs in SA more likely to attack

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Dogs in SA are more likely to attack than anywhere else in the world as SA has the highest incidence of dog attacks on humans.
Image: Pixabay

Cape Town – Man’s best friend is more likely to turn on him in South Africa than anywhere else in the world.

According to law firm DSC Attorneys, the country has the highest incidence of dog attacks on humans than any other in the world. The firm is advising people on their rights and possible claims stemming from dog attacks.

Kirstie Haslam, a partner in the firm, said dog bites account for tens of millions of injuries annually, and in South Africa dogs account for 76% to 94% of animal bite injuries, and dog bite fatalities are higher because of lack of post-exposure treatment and appropriate access to health care. In the US, the figure is 3% to 18% and also lower in Australia, Canada and France.

“There were nine dog attack fatalities in 2016, more than the total number in the nine years from 2006-2015, and so far in 2017, reported dog attack fatalities and injuries are a daily occurrence. With high crime rate, large breeds of dogs are popular and many dogs are trained to be aggressive for security purposes.

“The number of dog bite is growing alarmingly every year and compounding the problem is the increasing prevalence of the breeding of large dogs to participate in dog fights as a blood sport,” Haslam said.
 
“Although determining the validity of a dog bite claim is a complex matter, you can claim general damages for pain and suffering and any lost income suffered or likely to be suffered in the future.When claiming, you will also need to prove the extent of the injuries and any long-lasting disfigurement or other injury-related difficulties.”
 
Haslam pointed out that the majority of attacks occur on private property. 

“DSC is acting on behalf of a 32-year-old man from Calvinia. who was viciously attacked by a boerboel when he was invited onto a neighbour’s property. He also sustained significant injuries to his lower leg, which has inter alia resulted in serious foot neuropathy, (chronic daily pain caused due to nerve damage) which may possibly result in him having to undergo a below-knee amputation.”
 
Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson, Belinda Abraham said: “Law Enforcement have admitted 167 dogs to us this year so far. 51 Of these dogs were impounded after either attacking other people or dogs.  We are however aware of a number of dog attack incidents  at least 2 of which were fatalities.”

She said if SA has the highest incidence of dog attack deaths or injuries compared to other countries, one of the reasons for that could be because pet ownership in South Africa is not as strictly monitored as it is elsewhere in the world. 

“Sadly this also says a lot about the way we as a nation view and treat our animals. These statistics may well result in less families opening their hearts and homes to dogs but we should never lose sight of the absolute joy responsible pet ownership can bring to a household, the lessons animals can teach us and our children and the value of the unconditional love they offer.”

The City’s by-laws states dogs may not be in public streets or public places unless on a leash and under control – unless in a designated free-running area. According to the Animal By-law of 2010, the Council may designate public places with appropriate signage as one or more of free-running, on-leash or off-limits and the designation may vary according to time of day and season.

DSC revealed that internationally, 24 countries have banned the breeding and keeping of Pit Bulls and other dog breeds that are considered dangerous. In South Africa, where two thirds of attacks have been by Pit Bulls, there is no Dangerous Dog Act or legislation in effect, or steps being taken to bring about greater legislative control over breeders.

With the increasing number of attacks, the challenge is having sufficient resources to investigate and prosecute syndicates and individuals.

Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said: “The Animal By-law of 2010 outlines all conditions related to keeping animals. An authorised officer is empowered to seize and impound dog/s in terms of the Animal By-law of 2010 if certain provisions of the by-law are contravened. The dogs are kept at the City’s pound in Atlantis or at an Animal Welfare organisation such as the SPCA when owner has been careless.”

Written by: Okuhle Hlati
Source: www.iol.co.za

 

National lottery drops SPCA

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Some SPCA branches have Horse Care Units, where horses and ponies that have been abandoned
or abused are nursed back to health before being re-homed. (Roxanne Joseph, GroundUp)

A cut in funding from the national lottery has forced the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to reduce its free services, including the work it does in poor communities.

Since its launch 62 years ago, one of the services it has offered is the care and treatment of beasts of burden, like donkeys, horses and oxen, which many people in rural and other marginalised communities depend on to work the land and for transport, according to a report on GroundUp’s website.

For the past 15 years, the SPCA and its branches across the country have received tens of millions of rands in funding from the National Lottery Commission (NLC).

But in 2017 that funding was cut after the NLC announced a shift in its focus to poverty relief, leaving the SPCA and other animal welfare organisations scrambling to make ends meet.

Marcelle Meredith, the executive director of the National Council of SPCAs, described the decision as “short-sighted and inexcusable” in a statement released at the time the NLC announced the change in its focus.

“We found out via the media that animal welfare organisations were not being considered for funding for 2016/2017,” Meg Wilson, the SPCA’s head of communications, said in an email last month.

Beneficiaries encouraged to ‘find other sources of funding’

The organisation was then informed that applications for funding within the charities sector for 2016/2017 would focus on areas aligned to the National Development Plan (NDP), which “only included helping vulnerable people and crime prevention”.

After writing to the NLC to query the decision and voice its concerns, the SPCA received this reply: “Unfortunately, animal welfare is not one of the focus areas for this year’s open call for applications, and therefore your application will not be accepted this time around. The criteria also exclude some other sectors for this call.”

“Not only does animal welfare affect communities, but the upliftment of animal welfare affects society in totality,” Wilson said, adding that the work the organisation does goes beyond animal welfare.

The NLC responded directly to the SPCA’s concerns with a statement several months after the initial announcement, which encouraged beneficiaries to “find other sources of funding so that they do not build a dependency and an entitlement to NLC funding”.

Animal welfare has once again been excluded from the next round of funding applications (2017/2018), according to an advert on the NLC’s website.

Despite this, the SPCA is applying for funding, according to Wilson.

The SPCA has adoption centres throughout the country. Some of the bigger branches deal with anywhere from 800
to 1 200 adoptions each year, which is much less than the number of animals who come in during that time.
(Roxanne Joseph, GroundUp)

Free services to the poor since 1955

“The [SPCA] does enforce the law and in some of our portfolios, we do prevention and early intervention for the vulnerable.”

The work done by the SPCA and animal welfare organisations may not seem to fit in the category of poverty relief, but the SPCA has been providing free services for the animals of poor people since 1955.

This care is not only aimed at domestic animals; the SPCA also treats and cares for beasts of burden — horses, donkeys and oxen — which their owners use to grow food, earn a living, and for transport.

They also treat cattle, sheep and goats, which people depend on for food and meat.

“Just looking at the impact that the illegal donkey skin trade has on communities, as well as the direct link between violence against animals and humans, the effect that the SPCA has in the work that it does far exceeds just animal welfare,” said Wilson.

The SPCA has adoption centres throughout the country.

The loss of such a significant source of funding has had a major impact on branches across the country, including Grahamstown, Empangeni and King William’s Town. These branches work in multiple rural communities, assisting hundreds of animals each month.

Donkey skin trade ‘detrimental’

In Grahamstown, the organisation works with a large rural community, running outreach programmes, offering vaccinations and sterilisations, visiting schools and meeting with local groups. It also works alongside other welfare organisations and local vets.

“We form connections within the communities to better understand their needs,” said centre manager Mark Thomas.

In the past year the branch has been focused on the trade of donkey skins throughout the area.

The skins are exported to China, where they are in high demand because of pseudo-scientific beliefs about their medical properties.

Thomas described the impact of the trade as “detrimental” because of the reliance of these communities on donkeys for all forms of transport.

The donkey population between Grahamstown and Peddie has been decimated and there are very few donkeys left there.

A large focus of the SPCA’s educational programmes is to teach people living on and around farms how to properly
care for the animals that are often a major source of livelihood for them and their families. (Roxanne Joseph, GroundUp)

‘Animal welfare is inextricably linked to human welfare’

But the SPCA continues to offer support to other communities and their animals, he said.

Sufficient funding has, until now, enabled the organisation — and others like it — to work in communities that are affected by the donkey skin trade, and educate people on how to properly care for their donkeys and farm animals. Communities were also educated on how to spot the signs of a possible trader.

“These donkeys are a massive part of these people’s lives,” said Tara McGovern, a spokesperson for the SPCA Cape of Good Hope branch.

“They are loyal beasts of burden, and are used for vital community activities like transport and trade.”

The decision by the NLC does not make sense because “animal welfare is inextricably linked to human welfare” and the alleviation of poverty, throughout South Africa, she said.

The national lottery has allocated R138m to animal welfare organisations since 2002, which is 1.29% of the total R10.7bn allocated in the charities category of the NLC’s funding.

‘It is a dire time for the organisation’

While NLC funding of the SPCA has varied over the past 15 years, it has remained an important source of financial support for the organisation throughout that time, with an allocation total of R128m.

The SPCA receives no funding from government and relies on lottery funding and the generosity of the public to ensure that it can continue the work it does.

Wilson said: “It is a dire time for the organisation. And although we work tirelessly to raise funds because we know that lottery is not a guarantee, without that funding, it can be detrimental to the organisation.”

The SPCA takes in more than 237 000 animals each year.

In 2017, it responded to more than 42 000 complaints of cruelty. In the past, funding from the lottery has been allocated to buying vehicles that are used to transport animals and reach outlying communities.

The funding is also used for outreach projects, property maintenance and upgrading, veterinary costs, animal handling equipment and salaries, among other expenses.

The lottery has also funded other animal welfare organisations, including The Emma Animal Rescue Society, African Tails and the Animal Anti-Cruelty League.

Source: News 24
Edited: by inFURmation

Beware online pet sale scams

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According to information provided by the SPCA, scams regarding the sale of pets and domestic animals have become increasingly common with unsuspecting victims having their money stolen by unscrupulous people who prey on kind-hearted animal lovers.

Online trade via the Internet is common place these days with anything from clothes to antiques being bought and sold. According to the SPCA, the Internet is, however, not the place you should go to buy a new pet.

The National Council of SPCA’s stated on their website that the general modus operandi of such scammers follow the story below:

“A woman from South Africa has moved to the Cameroon to do work on an AIDS project. She has taken her monkey/parrot/dog/cat/tiger cub/lion cub with her and is now looking for a good home for her pet back in South Africa since she does not have time to provide proper care.

“The animal is offered ‘free to a good home’. After the unsuspecting ‘victim’ has been reeled in, fake travel confirmation from an airline is forwarded with a request for money to pay a refundable deposit to hire a ventilated electronic crate, as requested by the airline.

“The con-artist states that she has spent all her money on the flight charges and is unable to pay anything further. She appeals to the good Samaritan to please help. Needless to say, once the money has been received, the woman disappears and the awaited animal (who did not exist) never arrives.”

In the event that you fall prey to such a scam, report the matter to the SAPS immediately and open a case of extortion.

Beware “Free to Good Home”

Although the Internet has become an avenue for people to advertise “free to good home” pets when they move to a smaller property or emigrate this does not always mean the best for the animal involved.

“We caution that not everyone has your animal’s best interest at heart. Your good intentions may not hold positive results for your family pet.”

According to the National Council of SPCAs breeders and security companies have not been slow to recognise these openings and are quick to acquire “suitable” animals for their trade in this manner.

Be an animal warrior: rescue a pet

The best way to protect yourself and slow down the growth of the puppy/kitten mill trade is to source only from SPCAs and other welfare organisations.

Individuals adopting from an SPCA will typically receive accurate information and they will be questioned about their ability to care for the pet they wish to offer a home to.

Pre and post home checks take place and a legally binding agreement is signed by both parties.

The officially adopted Statement of Policy of the SPCA movement is to “discourage the keeping of domestic animals by those who do not have the facilities, time, financial means or level of interest necessary to ensure a satisfactory standard of care and husbandry for their pets” – domestic animals deserve to be loved, cared for, taken to the vet when necessary, played with, taken for walks and so on.

SPCAs are careful to ensure that these qualities are available in all prospective homes.

Alternately buy your pets from bona fide breeders registered with the relevant organisations if a specific breed is required.

Source: lowvelder

‘Be aware of who charms your pet’ – Edenvale SPCA

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Staff at the Edenvale SPCA pose for a photograph. Seen here are kennel manager Udo Salchow, Inspector Jade Nel and manager Marita Acar. The dogs on their laps are Oupa, Stella, Lucky and Small. All of the dogs except Lucky are available for adoption.

Edenvale SPCA recently urged residents to be alert to people stopping in front of properties and taking photographs of “power breed” dogs.

In a post made on Facebook, Edenvale SPCA said people had been taking photographs of Pitbulls in the Avenues.

The individuals parked their car on the road and took photographs of the property.

Inspector Jade Nel, of the Edenvale SPCA, said a local dog groomer alerted the SPCA to what seemed to be suspicious activity. “Although the activity was suspicious, it was a misunderstanding,” said Nel.

She explained that residents were taking photographs of their own property.

“This could have been a real case of criminals taking photographs of dogs,” said Nel.

Following the post on Facebook, Edenvale SPCA continued to urge residents to be vigilant and if possible to keep their dogs out of sight.

Manager of the Edenvale SPCA, Marita Acar, said any dog could be stolen.

Acar said stolen dogs often end up in fight rings or with backyard breeders.

“The theft of dogs is a reality and could even occur in a nice community like Edenvale,” said Acar.

Nel said suspects often befriend dogs before they steal them.

when dogs are stolen they are often befriended by suspects.

“Suspects will sit at your fence and spend time with your dog while you are away,” said Nel. “Once a relationship has formed they just pick your dog up through the fence and lift it over.”

Tips from the Edenvale SPCA to keep dogs out of sight include keeping the dog in the backyard or putting shade net on the front fence of a property.

“If your dog is barking, don’t ignore it, it could be someone at your fence,” said Nel, and encouraged dog owners to get their pets microchipped.

She said every dog taken to the SPCA vet is scanned for a microchip.

“A microchip is the only way to legally prove that a dog is yours,” said Acar.

“We know of cases where dogs were stolen years ago and only recently reunited with their families thanks to a microchip.”

Residents who wish to get their dogs microchipped can do so at the Edenvale SPCA.

For more information about microchipping your pet phone 011 974 9268 or email manager@edenvalespca.co.za

Source: Bedford & Edenvale News

SPCA provides valuable advice on what to do when your pet goes missing

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There is a couple of things one should do first when you realise your dog is no longer at home.

Domestic pets can get lost quite easily when someone leaves the gate open or they slip out unseen when you are taking the car out of the property.

The Boksburg SPCA has shared some few points you should consider when you realise your dog is longer at home.

  • Phone the local SPCA or animal welfare organisation

Give all the details (breed, age, sex, sterilised or not, micro chipped or not, wearing a collar and disc or not, area where dog went missing, and the day the dog went missing as well as your name and contact number).

If any animal enters into the society that fits the description of your lost pet, then the SPCA/animal welfare organisation will contact you to go into the SPCA /animal welfare organisation to see if they have your lost pet.

Within the first seven days this will entail (at an SPCA) the owner paying an ‘impounding fee’ to get their animal back.

This fee is inclusive of a collar and ID disc (if the animal does not already have these) and is very important as the animal will then have some form of identification if they should ever escape from the premises again.

  • Contact all other SPCAs and animal welfare organisations in your area

Sometimes people can pick up lost animals and take them to their own SPCA or animal welfare organisation and not to the one nearest to where the animal was found.

The more people who know of your pets details the more chance you usually have of getting him or her returned safely.

Contact all veterinarians in your area (and neighbouring areas)

Members of the public can also drop off animals that they have found at vets and they (the vets) will normally hold onto the lost animal for a couple of days before sending to the nearest SPCA/animal welfare.

  • Put up posters

Include a clear picture of the lost animal all around where you live and perhaps offer a small reward for the safe return of the animal.

It is important that on these posters you include the sex and age of the animal and if they have been sterilised or not as well as the area that they were lost from.

  • Search the area

This is really only worthwhile if the animal is immediately noticed missing as, once out of the premises, they can cover quite large distances in a short period of time.

However, getting in your car and searching the nearby streets for the lost animal can be instrumental in finding them and is worth trying.

  • Lack of action

Boksburg SPCA manager, Maggie Mudd, said: “It always amazes the staff of the SPCA that so few owners actually come to the society to look for their lost pets – this is noticed even when a ‘pedigree’ animal enters into the SPCA as a stray and no one comes to look for it.

“It seems like owners can sometimes be too quick to assume that these animals have been stolen and think that no one would drop them off at a SPCA.

“The truth is we have a number of cross breed and pedigrees enter into the SPCA as strays and it is always worthwhile calling into the society to check if your lost pet has not been brought in as a stray.

“It is important to remember that the Boksburg SPCA pound period is only seven days and once this time has passed then the stray animal automatically moves from the pound kennels to the SPCA kennels and, at this time, legally becomes the property of the society.”

She said ‘owners’ claiming their lost pets after the seven day pound period will find themselves having to re-adopt their animals at a fee of R900 and the animal will have to be sterilised (if not already done).

“The adoption fee would also include the first vaccination, deworming, collar and ID disc as well as a microchip.”

  • Social media

According to Mudd, more people are taking the easier way of advertising on social media that they have lost a pet and are putting up posts.

“Although there is nothing wrong with advertising in this manner, it is still important to call into all SPCAs or animal welfare organisations to check that your lost pet is not there.

“This is especially true of cross breeds as they can be viewed as one breed by someone and something totally different by someone else.

“It is also important to remember that not all SPCAS/animal welfare organisations use social media and, unless they actually know that a pet that they may have in their custody has been reported as lost, the chance of them contacting the owner to advise them that they may have the animal is nil,” Mudd said.

Source: Boksburg Advertiser

Don’t be cruel to your pets

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Image: Pixabay

SPCA Amanzimtoti blames the lack of education for animal cruelty acts committed by people year-round as South Africa joins the world to observe The Prevention of Cruelty to Animal’s Month.

Speaking to Michelle Hannan and Zakhona Mzelemu from the Amanzimtoti SPCA they shared how the month of April is used to highlight the suffering that animals go through and how animal shelters feel the outcomes of that the most. “This month is used to highlight the plight of animal shelters and to inform and educate the public about how to treat their animals as well as report acts of cruelty,” said Hannan.

When asked what is animal cruelty Mzelemu said: “ Animal cruelty is not just hitting your pet, it starts from the beginning by not giving your pet its basic needs like food, water and shelter, if you fail to provide those needs for your pet you are committing the first basis of animal cruelty.”

She continued to add that not being able to provide for your pet financially like paying for vaccinations, defleaing and deworming also falls under a form of animal cruelty. “Everything that you wouldn’t do to your child but do it to your dog, we consider that animal cruelty,” added Mzelemu. She also pointed out the source of animal cruelty comes mainly because of lack of education.

“It’s not only you hitting your animal and tying them up but also verbally abusing and getting your animal so scared of humans that it cowers and loses itself in that, that’s when you violate the five basic freedoms of your dog,” said Hannan.

The duo said that cruelty can be prevent and that Amanzimtoti SPCA holds Edupaw programmes every Saturdays where the community can go in to be educated on caring for their animals, vaccinations, sterilising and deworming pets.

Both Hannan and Mzelemu share that they have had people come in the SPCA and ask specifically for a dog that is vicious and a dog that will protect them, they mentioned that some people even go as far as breaking animals basic rights just to get their pets to be vicious as that makes them feel powerful and gives the owner status. “You know, if you love your dog enough and you give it the best care possible, that dog will die for you. It will put its life on the line to protect you,” said Mzelemu.

When a couple divorces Mzelemu shares how it breaks her heart that children get to either go with their father or mother but in most cases pets are brought into them and the excuse of divorce is given to them. “Animals get so attached to their families that when they bring them to us because the couple is separating we have a hard time putting the animal up for adoption because it struggles to get used to another family,” said Mzelemu.

People can report animal cruelty anonymously to the Amanzimtoti SPCA and they urge that you try to get a video or pictures as proof but still report the incident immediately by calling Amanzimtoti SPCA on 031 904 2424 or 072 122 7288.

Source: News 24

Public must be informed to avoid animal cruelty

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Image: Pixabay

The failure to report acts of animal cruelty is also a criminal offence.

A few cases of animal abuse have recently been reported in Benoni, Benoni City Times reports.

SPCA inspector Shiven Bodasing reminded the public that animal abuse is a criminal offence, which could result in imprisonment.

Michelle Mann, who owns Michelle’s Pet Grooming Parlour in Fairleads, specialises in grooming rescue animals, particularly Pekingese, Rottweilers and pitbulls.

Recently, Mann encountered a dog that suffered from transmissible venereal tumour (TVT), which she describes as a growth on the genitals.

“This can be caused by over-mating or being in unhygienic areas,” she said.

Mann said most people do not tend to their animals when they are sick because of financial implications.

“What most people do not know is that they can visit the SPCA to fill out a South African Vet Association [Sava] means test,” she said.

Pet owners can apply for this so the vet can tend to their animals at a reduced price.

Boksburg resident Claudine Matthews, who owns Paws Rehoming, visits informal settlements in Boksburg and Benoni to educate pet owners and provide care to pets in need.

“I give food, first aid, sterilisation and even vaccination to pets,” she said.

When the animals are in dire need of help that is beyond Matthews’ capability, she refers them to a vet.

“The SPCA must impose fines when needed to those who abuse their animals,” she said.

Matthews found a dog in Boksburg on March 31 that was tied by its legs.

“She had no access to food or water so I called the SPCA who took the dog and her puppies,” Matthews said.

In her experience, Matthews has seen dogs that were burnt, had broken bones, were dehydrated, hungry and tied to short ropes.

Matthews can be contacted on her Facebook page called Paws Rehoming for more educational information about owning a pet.

Non-profit organisation Namaqua Dog and Donkey Foundation (NDDF) chairperson Reinette Smith and secretary Maria Marques said the aim of the organisation is to sterilise animals.

The women were called to Etwatwa on April 2 by the owner of a dog to say the dog seems as if it is dying.

“We went to see the dog and the rope around the dog’s neck was about 4cm deep into the neck,” Smith said.

“The dog was about five years old and its neck was rotting because the rope was so tight.”

But animal abuse is not uncommon according to Smith, who said in her time of working with animals, she saw animals burnt with water, ears cut and eyeballs removed while the animal was alive.

Bodasing said animal cruelty may be a result of ignorance, neglect or intention.

“Any act which may constitute as animal cruelty is defined as any act which causes the unnecessary suffering to any animal, which includes injury or the risk thereof,” he said.

“The SPCA has dedicated and qualified law enforcement officers known as inspectors who are mandated to investigate, enforce, rectify and amend any and all contraventions of the Animals Protection Act no 71 of 1962.”

Bodasing said SPCA officers are empowered to obtain and execute search and seizure warrants, as well as warrants of arrest.

“If any member of the public is aware or made aware of any intentional or neglectful cruelty to animals, they are obliged by national law to report such suspected criminal act[s],” he said.

“Failure to report such act[s] shall also constitute as a criminal offense.

“The personal details of every complainant are kept strictly confidential and will under no circumstances be divulged to anyone.”

The Benoni SPCA can be contacted on 011 894 2814/5.

Animal cruelty is a schedule one criminal offence and has set penalties upon conviction.

Such penalties may include imprisonment and or a fine as contemplated by the Animals Protection Act no 71 of 1962.

Source: The Citizen

Groundbreaking water source located at the CoGH SPCA

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In answer to our pleas for assistance during an extensive Drought Relief campaign, we have been overwhelmed by an unprecedented outpouring of support from the public and numerous corporate and trust benefactors. Because of you, our loyal SPCA supporters, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA has at last been able to equip our facility with the following water conservation aids: 6 rainwater harvesting tanks, 7 JoJo tanks, jerry cans and 2 flowbins, pumps and hoses; all of which will provide invaluable water reserves to animals across the Cape Metropole.

Despite the rains which have thankfully fallen of late, none of us can sit back and let water conservation take a back seat – right now the dams are only up by 1%. Experts state that we will require at least 2-3 years of steady rainfall to get our dams back to normal levels. Now, thanks to the generosity of donors such as LPM du Toit Trust, Isdell Family Foundation, Water4 Paws, Virgin Active SA; BIDVest Prestige; Grinrod and Infurmation, we are now fully equipped to assist animals in crisis throughout our 6 840 squared mile area of operation.

Because of you we are able to go ahead with the drilling of a new borehole which means that the CoGH SPCA will have access to its own water reserve. This sustainable water source means that our organisation will never have to rely on a municipal water service again should Day Zero happen. Our focus can now be strictly dedicated towards the animals that so desperately need our services.

Each and every cent that has been donated towards this campaign will directly impact the animals depending on our care. The borehole will be utilized to fill containers for transport to animals in need. This water source will also be used for the animals on our own premises (as many as 500 at a time) for drinking and cleaning purposes (to prevent the spread of disease).

Now our inspectors will be able to carry water with them at all times and bulk water will need to be transported to remote areas to service water stations for wild animals and free roaming livestock and horses suffering from dehydration in local communities. In addition other animal welfare organisations will be able to benefit from access to our borehole water when needed.

Thank you to each and every individual and business that has reached out, and continues to provide support to the animals in our care. Your kindness will provide life giving water for thousands of animals for a very long time.

Please contact Tara on digital@capespca.co.za or call (021) 700 4141 for any further queries