The pet-peeves of animal cruelty

The issue of animal cruelty and neglect is nothing new.

Cases of mistreated and forgotten animals being reported to animal welfare groups such as the SPCA are continuing to rise on the North Coast and there is simply not enough money or people available to protect them.

The animals affected are the invisible casualties of our community – victims of owners either unable or unwilling to provide the care owed to their pets and the problems they face are without number.

Prosecution of irresponsible or unfit owners can lead to a maximum fine of R60 000 or three years in prison, so in certain cases the police are contacted to apprehend a suspect charges have been laid against.

The Dolphin Coast SPCA takes in an average of 120 animals per month, including stray and unwanted pets. Sadly only 4% of these strays are eventually claimed by their owners while the rest remain in desperate need of caring homes to go to.

The average adoption rate of dogs is 10%, while it sits at a mere 7% for cats. There are simply too many dogs and cats in need of care, but not enough homes for them to go to.

“Many are brought into the SPCA in shocking condition, suffering badly or carrying contagious diseases, so the most humane option is to compassionately and gently put them to sleep,” said Lindsey Fogarty, marketing assistant at the Durban and Coast SPCA.

“The veterinary staff at every SPCA are faced with tough decisions regarding euthanasia on a daily basis and need to be recognised for their role in animal welfare. This is a job that nobody wants but somebody has to do.”

It is for these reasons that the organisation stresses the importance of sterilising pets, as it is the first step to reducing the number of animals forced to be put down.

“It would prevent backyard breeding and the animals would be much healthier if people got their pets either neutered or spayed,” said Debbie Filmalter, inspector at the SPCA Dolphin Coast branch.

An unsterilised female cat comes into heat every three weeks from the age of six months and up, which means that in just seven years, one mother can give birth to 420 000 kittens, while an unsterilised female dog can produce 67 000 puppies in six years of unmanaged breeding.

With these numbers continuing to increase, the organisation is severely over-stretched, and understanding the expense of sterilising or castrating an animal, the SPCA offer these procedures at a reduced cost in the hopes of encouraging pet owners in low-income areas to bring their animals in and reduce the number roaming the streets without the care they need.