Adopting from the SPCA: these are the rules
There are costs involved as well as pre-home inspections.
Although SPCAs work with homeless animals, they still follow a strict policy when it comes to rehoming these pets.
Many people believe it is just a matter of driving to the SPCA, pick a pet and go home with it.
This is not the case. There are costs involved as well as pre-home inspections.
Kempton Park SPCA manager Kira Sparrow explained the adoption process.
The person wishing to adopt an animal must complete an application form in person at the society, fill in a short questionnaire and supply proof of address and a copy of their ID.
They will then be able to look at the animals available in order to decide on one.
Thereafter a pre-home inspection will be conducted. This inspection depends on the animal the applicant has chosen. The SPCA will see if the home is suitable for the breed, if there is adequate shelter, enough space and whether the property is secure.
If the pre-home inspection is passed, the animal goes for sterilisation, is micro-chipped, first vaccination is given and de-wormed. Thereafter it can go to its new home.
This process takes about seven days. Post home checks may be conducted.
If the new home is declined, depending on the reason, the applicant is given an opportunity to rectify any issues at the home and another inspection will then be conducted by the SPCA.
The cost to adopt a dog from the SPCA is R750 and for cats it is R575. This fee covers the cost of the sterilisation, first vaccination, deworming, micro-chipping and the cost while the animal was in the society’s care.
According to Sparrow the most common reasons why people are refused an animal are:
– They have unsterilised animals on their property or too many for the by-laws
– The property is not secured and the animals can escape
– The property is poorly looked after and their own animals are in poor condition
– If the applicant has pets already, they have to come for a meet and greet. This sometimes doesn’t work.
