Some will just not make it through winter
Fora manager, Linda Scrace, is worried about the older dogs that have to suffer through winter.
As winter approaches, older and weaker animals at local shelters are hanging on by a thread.
Animal shelters like Friends of Rescued Animals (Fora) in Luipaardsvlei are filled to capacity and manager Linda Scrace said this will be the first winter without the Krugersdorp SPCA, which could mean more stray dogs will remain without a home. Many of the dogs that already call Fora home, struggle to stand up as the air becomes colder.
“Since the SPCA closed, we have seen a major difference. We receive more and more phone calls about stray animals and more dogs are dumped in front of our gate,” she said.
At Fora, about 30 dogs will suffer through the winter because of arthritis or hip problems that come with age.
“Unfortunately, for some these dogs a tough decision has to be made,” Linda added.
Even though it is a controversial topic, Linda said she and her staff have to make the decision of putting certain dogs to sleep as winter approaches. She said that instead of critising what they do, the community is rather encouraged to adopt one of the dogs.
“There is a fate worse than death, and that is a fate of suffering,” she said.
The team at Fora is overwhelmed with caring for stray or unwanted animals and still needs blankets, especially those sold at Pep Stores, to help keep the dogs warm.
At the Husky Heaven Rescue in Oatlands, Kelly Meyer told the News the huskies can better face the winter because of their double coat.
“The problem arises when their coats are shaved, which should never happen to a dog with a double coat. The fur never grows back normally and the dogs can experience a colder winter,” she said.
If you would like to adopt a golden oldie from Fora, contact Linda on 082 336 5568, from the Husky Heaven Rescue contact Kelly on 079 619 5560 or Charmaine at the 9th Day Animal Rescue Centre on 082 924 9337.
To view more photos of dogs to adopt, click here.
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