Why adopting instead of shopping for a pet is important
Animals that do not find homes risk being euthanised. Adopt a pet and save a life.
According to SPCA manager Vicky Finnemore, animals are surrendered into their care for several reasons.
“This could be because a person is moving to a complex that doesn’t allow pets, emigrating, can no longer afford to care for the animal, for medical reasons or because their owner has died.
“The SPCA provides a temporary home for these pets until they find suitable homes. We take it upon ourselves to ensure these animals are looked after at the SPCA and beyond, including their safe rehoming, and this is why we developed our adoption programme,” Finnemore explained.
The SPCA handles an average of 40 to 55 adoptions monthly, depending on the number of animals available.
Some animals don’t get adopted quickly because of their age or because certain breeds are disliked. Finnemore added their adoption programme was centred on identifying when people want to adopt pets for the wrong reasons.
“There are people who want to adopt pets for the wrong reasons. Our paperwork process, however, determines whether their intentions are pure and for the right reasons.
“If a person shows the slightest negative intention of adopting a pet, we decline the application immediately.
Inspectors have the authority to decline an adoption if they feel the home or the family is not suited to the animal,” she said.
An adoption story with a happy ending
Finnemore said that last year, they received a report about a cross-chow that had been badly beaten, allegedly by its owner, in Impala Park.
“This poor animal was beaten over the head with a blunt object. His skull was fractured, and both eyes were swollen shut. Luckily, an MRI scan revealed no brain damage.
“Inspector Neo Mmoya immediately applied for a warrant to confiscate the animal and its mate, also the same breed, and we sent the dog for treatment at a vet in Onderstepoort in Pretoria.
“The dog made a miraculous recovery and was cleared for adoption.
“He was adopted last March by a wonderful woman who had read his story in the newspaper.
“She changed his life forever, and never again will he be beaten or abused – only loved and adored for the rest of his days.”
“Bear and his new mom came to the SPCA in December to donate to our Christmas Cheer Fund, and she gave staff a beautiful card from Bear to say ‘thank you for saving his life’.”
Commenting on the case at the time, Finnemore said they commended the complainant for reporting this animal cruelty crime.
“Animal cruelty comes in many forms. A lot of the time, ignorance is to blame.
“When prosecuting alleged animal abusers, intent needs to be proved. This is often difficult because, in many cases, the only witnesses are the animals involved.
“We need our communities to report, photograph and video animal cruelty as it happens, and we know this is not always easy.”
This is the adoption process
• Come in and meet the animal you wish to adopt.
• Bring any current dogs to meet with the animal to ensure they get along (cats don’t require a meet and greet).
• Fill out the application to adopt a cat or dog and pay the R100 reservation fee (this comes off the full adoption amount).
• Puppies or kittens under 12 weeks can only be homed in the Boksburg area because they are too small to be sterilised and cannot leave the SPCA’s jurisdiction.
• If you own the house you live in, the SPCA requires a copy of your ID and proof of residence.
• If you rent, they will need a letter from the owner stating that the animal you wish to adopt is allowed on the premises, plus a copy of their ID in addition to the above.
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• If you reside in a complex or an estate, they need proof of the body corporate rules stipulating how many animals you are allowed and the size they can be, as well as above.
• Once all documentation is received, a home inspection is booked.
• All current animals you own must be sterilised, or you must agree to have them sterilised as soon as you can adopt from the SPCA.
• The adopted animal is booked for sterilisation through the SPCA vets and will be released to the adopter as soon as the home inspection is approved.
• If you live outside Boksburg, the home inspection will be done by the SPCA in that area.
• It costs R1 100 to adopt a dog or puppy and R850 for a cat or kitten. This includes sterilisation, micro-chipping, first vaccination, deworming and a collar.
Five benefits of adopting a pet
• It is cheaper.
• You are saving a life.
• You receive your pet sterilised, vaccinated, micro-chipped, dewormed and with a collar.
• Adoption educates your children about responsibility and the spirit of Ubuntu.
• You help the SPCA help more animals.
Apart from adoptions, you can support the SPCA in these ways:
• Donating wet and dry food for cats and dogs, blankets, toys, jerseys and beds.
• Monetary donations to help the SPCA cover medications to help sick and injured animals from the streets.
• Sponsor sterilisation of an outreach animal.
• Sponsor a kennel for R300 per month.
• Sterilise your animals through the SPCA.
• Buy toys, food, knick-knacks and T-shirts from the reception.
• Support their charity and bookshop.
For more information, contact the Boksburg SPCA on 011 916 5906.
