New Year celebrations a nightmare for animals and SPCA
The SPCA has been overwhelmed with calls about missing animals.
Fireworks, according to earliest documentation, was created in seventh-century medieval Chinese Tang Dynasty. There, they were believed to expel evil spirits and bring about happiness.
However, these sparkling displays were no source of happiness for the furry friends of Kempton Park on New Year’s Eve. According to local SPCA manager Kira Sparrow, the huge number of ignited fireworks had saddening results.
“We have been overwhelmed with calls about missing animals and complaints that pet owners’ animals are terrified of the loud blasts of the fireworks.”
The SPCA received a whopping 29 stray animals on New Year’s day and eve alone, compared to the nine stray animals that were taken in during New Year’s in 2017. Thus far, only six animals have been reunited with their owners.
Furthermore, 13 missing animal reports have already been opened.
These numbers are distressing, said Sparrow, who urged the community to be more considerate of their neighbours and animals around them.
“I ask that the people of Kempton Park please reconsider the use of fireworks for their celebrations. Fireworks are stressful for the aged, invalids as well as all animals.”
She also encouraged pet owners to have their animals micro-chipped or if they cannot afford this, to always ensure that their pets are wearing collars.
“None of the animals that we received were micro-chipped or wearing collars, which makes it difficult for us to track down their owners.”
People can have their pets micro-chipped at the SPCA for R250 or buy an SPCA collar for R35.
Sparrow hopes that residents will adhere to the SPCA’s pleas to keep local pets safe. However, if fireworks, loud noises or even storms were to occur, pet owners can do the following to keep Toto or Bongo as safe and calm as possible:
