Alarming amount of unwanted animals handed to JSPCA
As we all know Covid-19 has had a severe effect on our country, economy, and people.
Sadly many people have lost their jobs, many households have struggled to cope with rent still needed to be paid, food still needed to be placed on the table, accounts had to be paid and the list just goes on.
Liana Marx from Johannesburg SPCA (JSPCA) said at the beginning of Covid-19 the JSPCA was flooded with calls of help from people struggling to make ends meet and who were unable to provide a daily meal for their beloved pets.
“With the wonderful help from our very supportive community, we were able to assist many households through our outreach programme.
“Animals were collected and vaccinated and most even sterilised and taken back home with a supply of food. All for free,” explained Marx.
She said they tried to help as many people and animals as possible as it was not fair for people to lose their beloved pets just because they have lost their job.
“These unforeseen circumstances that have befallen our country have had a devastating effect on pets.
“Many people were just unable to cope and decided to donate their pets to various animal shelters. Not because they were bad owners but because they almost had no means to support their families, let alone feed their pets.
Marx said communities came together and started various projects to try and get food donated to distribute to as many people as possible.
“It was a very difficult period but we made it through. JSPCA was able to open up adoptions again and we have managed to home so many animals to loving, caring families. “Most people were able to go back to work and things started looking up again.
However, now we have gone back to lockdown level three.”
Pets are not ornaments
She said in the last two months, the amount of unwanted animals that have come through their doors is alarming.
“However, the cruelty cases, for some reason, also picked up and our inspectorate team was busy 24/7 trying to assist as many animals as possible,” she said.
“We receive dogs daily as unwanted, or in some cases, people state, ‘We don’t need it anymore’. How sad that your once best friend is described as it, or nuisance, or I don’t like it anymore? What has become of our humanity that we can just discard an animal like an unwanted ornament?”
“Little Bentley, as we named her, is just one of many dogs donated to the JSPCA as unwanted and not needed anymore. This puppy was left with a severe, yet treatable, skin problem for weeks.
“But why do people have to wait till almost all the hair falls out? Why wait till the dog’s skeleton is protruding through its skin before asking for help or donating it to a shelter?”
All they ask is people must not condone cruelty.
“If an animal is mistreated please report it. We are a simple phone call away. If you bring the animal in for whatever reason, we are not there to judge you we are just thankful you brought the pet in.
A pet is a long-term commitment. Please do not get one if you know you will not be able to look after them and provide them with what they need.
“But do not forget what they need most is love. If you cannot give them love and companionship then do not get them,” said Marx.
Emergency contact numbers you should always have:
• JSPCA landline number 011 681 3600
• Duty inspector number 083 604 1172
• Emails: inspectors@jhbspca.co.za
• Noise control for barking dogs/by-laws: 011 681 8064 / 011 490 1567
• Pick it up for collection of deceased animals on the side of the road: 087 357 1288 / 087 357 1291
If you want to get involved and help us with fundraising/ donate items for fundraising / sponsor various projects, please send an email to Liana at pr@jhbspca.co.za
