Last of local pet shop’s confiscated animals euthanised
More than a year after 356 animals were seized by the Nelspruit SPCA from a local pet shop, the fate of some of them is in question.
The animals were found living under terrible conditions and after four comprehensive warnings issued to the pet shop since September 2019, the SPCA obtained a warrant and with its sister societies in White River and Barberton seized the animals in February 2020.
A massive social media reaction ensued after the seizure. The SPCA received both praise and some backlash for its efforts, and question upon question followed asking what would happen to these animals now. Some of these creatures included exotic birds.
The initial response from the Nelspruit SPCA in February last year referred to a court case that was pending at that stage: “The animals are in our care. They are currently not available for adoption, because of the court case. Some species may be available for adoption later. All animals will be subject to an NSPCA Adoption Application, and a home check will be done to species specific needs.”
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Enter here the rules pertaining to pet adoption in terms of the SPCA Act 169 of 1993 (as seen on the Nelspruit SPCA website):
Rule 6.21
No exotic animal may be homed by any society, except for rabbits, rodents, budgerigars, canaries, cockatiels and goldfish and on condition that adequate enrichment and appropriate facilities are provided to promote the welfare of the animal.
In respect of all other exotic animals this provision shall not apply where the animal may be relocated to a sanctuary approved by the National SPCA.
Where this is not possible, and it is reasonably practical and/or possible to do so, such animal may be repatriated to its country of origin.
Where neither of these alternatives is available then the society shall with written motivation and details of the proposed environment refer the matter to the National SPCA for a decision on whether the animal shall be homed to an individual under specific conditions or whether it shall be humanely euthanised by a veterinarian/appropriate skilled person with the requisite knowledge, skill and experience.
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Initially, it was thought that Birds of Eden Free Flight Sanctuary in Plettenberg Bay would be the solution for at least some of the birds requiring homes.
Isabel Wentzel, the group curator of the South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance Group of Sanctuaries (including Birds of Eden, Monkeyland Plett, Monkeyland KZN and Jukani), said both the NSPCA and the Nelspruit SPCA had been in contact with her regarding these birds.
The email trail starts in June 2020, but the contact stopped at some stage though, and Wentzel said the last she had heard from the SPCA was on November 3 last year.
“I received emails from different people enquiring whether we can take the birds and I confirmed, after establishing the species, which birds we could take into Birds of Eden.
“I advised them about the possible CemAir route (CemAir Ltd is a privately owned airline operating in South Africa) as they might fly from Mbombela. Alternatively they had to get them to Johannesburg to fly them via CemAir to Plettenberg Bay.”
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She would have been able to take in two sun conures, three grass parakeets as well as doves and finches. She could not, however, take the cockatoo.
“The communication on November 3 was the last communication I had regarding the birds. No birds were sent from Nelspruit SPCA to Birds of Eden to date.”
Now a source close to the organisation confirmed that the last of the birds that could not be rehomed had been euthanised a few weeks ago.
The SPCA declined to answer questions and said it had been advised by the NSPCA not to comment at this stage as “the case is sub judice and we cannot talk about it now. It can jeopardise the case and our goal is ‘justice’ for the animals,” said Lize Pienaar of the Nelspruit SPCA.
“All I can say is that a case was opened due to contraventions of the Animals Protection Act and that it is currently in the hands of the investigating officer.”
Another organisation, Laat Waai Papagaai (LWP), offered its help in finding homes and also helping with costs for some of the birds, but Ilse Meyer of LWP said they were met with uncooperative attitudes and that the SPCA did not want to accept their help.
