For Kempton Park SPCA senior inspector Duàn Coetzee, protecting animals is more than a career; it has become a way of life.

His path into animal welfare was not planned.

Growing up in Meyerton, Coetzee initially trained and worked as a medic. He spent six years with Netcare 911, responding to medical emergencies and traumatic incidents.

Then one rescue changed the direction of his life.

ALSO READ: Kempton Park SPCA confirms deaths of confiscated Persian cats

“I still remember the first dog I rescued. The dog was trapped inside a burning house, and I ran inside to rescue the Basset Hound,” said Coetzee.

While working as a paramedic, he regularly encountered neglected animals on properties where he was responding to emergencies.

The experiences stayed with him and eventually led him to the SPCA movement.

“I wanted to become a voice for the voiceless. Seeing their suffering and knowing that they could not speak for themselves made me realise that animal welfare was where I truly belonged,” he said.

Coetzee joined the SPCA movement in May 2017 at Bloemfontein SPCA.

After six years there, he joined the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA), where he worked for three years before becoming a senior inspector at Kempton Park SPCA.

SPCA inspectors undergo specialised training covering animal welfare, investigations, legislation, evidence collection, court procedures and the handling of different animals.

ALSO READ: Paintbrushes and compassion raise R8 550 for Kempton Park SPCA

Over the years, Coetzee’s responsibilities have grown from learning the fundamentals of the profession to handling complex cruelty investigations, obtaining warrants, gathering evidence and preparing court cases.

He also works with veterinarians, farmers, wildlife rehabilitators, the South African Police Service, prosecutors and other animal welfare organisations.

As a Senior Inspector, he assists with inspectorate duties, supports staff, mentors trainee inspectors and assists other inspectors in the Ekurhuleni region.

“My responsibilities have grown significantly, but my purpose has remained the same: to protect animals, prevent suffering and ensure that their voices are heard,” he said.

There is no typical day for an SPCA inspector.

Routine inspections and home checks are carried out alongside cruelty complaints, with cases prioritised according to urgency.

Coetzee could be attending a routine inspection one moment and responding to an animal hit by a vehicle, animals running on a highway, an animal trapped somewhere or a serious cruelty complaint the next.

ALSO READ: Kempton Park SPCA benefits from successful community pet food drive

The work can also be emotionally demanding.

“Some cases remain with you long after the investigation has ended,” he said.

Inspectors must remain professional even when confronted with distressing circumstances and must sometimes make difficult decisions about an animal’s welfare.

“Sometimes the kindest and most compassionate decision is to end an animal’s suffering. Those decisions are never easy, but the welfare of the animal must always come first,” he said.

One case that has remained particularly memorable for Coetzee involved the rescue of approximately 60 lions from a farmer.

According to Coetzee, the lions had been injured in a fire and were left without the care they required.

“Witnessing their suffering and being involved in such a large and complex rescue had a lasting impact on me,” he said.

The related criminal case is still pending.

Another case involved an animal hoarder who kept dogs and cats inside a small house. According to Coetzee, many of the animals were severely ill and living in poor conditions.

The animals were removed and Coetzee worked with the public prosecutor to prepare the case. The matter resulted in a conviction and a lifetime prohibition preventing the owner from owning animals again.

“We were able to prove the severity of the cruelty and secure an order that would protect other animals from suffering in that person’s care,” he said.

For Coetzee, the case demonstrated that the work of inspectors can extend beyond rescuing animals from immediate danger.

“It can also protect animals in the future,” he said.

While enforcement is an important part of animal welfare, Coetzee believes education is equally important.

He frequently encounters animals living in unhygienic conditions because owners fail to clean their living areas.

Other concerns include inadequate shelter, insufficient food or water, animals being kept on chains, a lack of sterilisation and delays in seeking veterinary treatment.

The cost of veterinary care is another challenge, with some owners unable or unwilling to pay for treatment when their animals become sick or injured.

ALSO READ: Local artist hosts fundraiser for Kempton Park SPCA

“I believe education is the future of animal welfare,” said Coetzee.

He would like to see more programmes introduced in schools to teach children about responsible pet ownership, compassion for animals and the work of the SPCA.

“By educating children from an early age, I believe communities can develop a more compassionate and responsible generation.

“Prevention through education is just as important as responding to cruelty after it has already happened,” he said.

Coetzee said the public can play an important role in supporting animal welfare by reporting suspected cruelty through the correct channels, sharing the SPCA’s social media posts, helping network animals available for adoption, donating food and blankets, and volunteering.

The SPCA is a non-profit organisation and, according to Coetzee, relies on public donations to provide veterinary treatment, food and care, maintain its facilities and vehicles, and support inspectorate and shelter operations.

ALSO READ: Kempton Park SPCA benefits from successful Blue Gill fun day fundraiser

“Every donation, shared post and responsible adoption can make a meaningful difference,” he said.
He also wants the public to understand the challenges faced by inspectors.

“SPCA inspectors are also humans. Inspectors are often insulted, belittled and threatened while carrying out their duties,” he said.

He urged members of the public to establish the facts before making accusations or sharing information on social media.

“Inspectors regularly work long hours and respond to traumatic situations. We carry the emotional impact of what we witness, but we continue because the animals depend on us,” he said.

Looking ahead, Coetzee would like to see an accessible animal clinic established at the SPCA to assist people who struggle to afford private veterinary care.

He also hopes to strengthen the inspectorate, mentor new inspectors and continue educating communities about animal welfare.

Coetzee credits experienced colleagues, veterinarians, prosecutors and advocates, as well as former NSPCA CEO Marcelle Merideth, among others, with helping shape his career.

He now hopes to pass that knowledge on to trainee and qualified inspectors.

“A strong and knowledgeable new generation of inspectors is essential for the future of animal welfare,” he said.

Despite the difficult cases and emotional demands of the job, Coetzee’s commitment has not wavered.
“I no longer see this simply as a career; it has become a way of life,” he said.

Looking back, he said the only thing he would have done differently was join the SPCA movement sooner.
His years as a medic gave him skills that continue to assist him when dealing with emergencies, but he believes he has found where he belongs.

“I would like to be remembered as someone who never said no when an animal needed help,” he said.
“Most importantly, I would like to be remembered as someone who gave a voice to the voiceless and devoted his life to protecting animals.”