Hundreds taken in by Alberton SPCA over the festive season

The Alberton SPCA saw a high number of stray and surrendered animals being dropped off at the SPCA over the festive season.
According to the SPCA manager Charmain Southon, the Alberton SPCA received 118 stray animals and 220 animals that were surrendered by their owners.
“When you add up these numbers, it comes to 338 animals. The Alberton SPCA’s premises are not big enough to keep all of these animals. This is just heartbreaking. On New Year’s Day we had to euthanise two animals who were knocked over by cars. The two pets were seriously injured and unfortunately there was nothing more we could do for them,” she said.
“The December period is a strenuous and hectic time for animal shelters, as this is typically the time when families go away on holiday and leave their animals behind. It is of course also a traumatic period for all animals, especially with the celebratory fireworks.”

Pets and fireworks
“Pet organisations including the SPCA have created much awareness over the years of the damage and trauma that fireworks cause to pets and still people don’t take it seriously.
“We all know that there are some individuals still setting off fireworks, so why do pet owners not make sure their pets are safe?
“For that one night it is crucial to bring your pets inside and if you know they react to fireworks make sure to give them something to calm them,” said Charmain.
According to her, it is general knowledge that fireworks cause trauma and stress for all pets and wildlife.

“Due to the emotional stress and trauma, pets often injure themselves by trying to escape out of their properties. A lot of them run away and are knocked over by vehicles. We all know this, so why aren’t we doing the best we can to protect our pets? We remain the voice of the voiceless and we need to start taking it seriously.”

Charmain said it is not a right to own a pet, but a privilege. “If you are going away please make sure your pets are taken care of. There are many options available like a reputable boarding kennel facility or a professional pet sitter,” she said.

Microchip your pets
Life can be made very easy not only for pet owners, but also for the SPCA staff.
“Microchipping your pet only costs R270 at the Alberton SPCA and it is for life. Microchipping your pet is one way to increase the odds that you will get your lost dog or cat back.
“Microchipping pets involves implanting a small microchip about the size of a grain of rice under the skin. It is implanted by a veterinarian or an authorised Animal Welfare Assistant. A microchip contains a serial number unique to your pet and with this unique number we are able to get the owners contact information.”
When the SPCA gets in any stray animals, they are immediately scanned for a microchip. If the pets has a microchip, it makes it easy for SPCA staff to reunite the pet back with its family.

A heartfelt thank you
Charmain said that even though they had a busy festive season and many heartbreaks she wants to also take a moment to thank the Alberton community.

“Our community has been there for us every day. Thank you for all the donations and assistance. Thank you for looking after us. We really do appreciate it,” she said.

The Alberton SPCA thanks Best Fence for their generous donation of offering to build their drop off kennels and a special thank you to Sonica from Umoya Automation for her donation of the brand new pressure pump.
Considering the increase of stray and surrendered animals, the SPCA places even more emphasis on their ‘adopt, don’t shop’ principle, urging residents to consider visiting the SPCA before shopping for a new furry friend. For more information, contact them on 011 907 1568.