Residents who take in stray animals are reminded that Newcastle by-laws require them to report the details to the SPCA or municipal pound within 24 hours.

Jenavieve Tinkler, Newcastle SPCA Inspector, said that if the animal is injured or ill, the SPCA will dispatch a vehicle to collect the animal.

The SPCA is available 24/7 on 072 337 0347 for this service.

However, the SPCA does not have the authority to remove healthy, free-roaming animals. This responsibility lies with the Newcastle Municipal Pound, which can be contacted on 034 314 0025.

• Important: You may not keep a stray animal unless the proper process has been followed.

If the animal is healthy and uninjured, provide food, water, and a safe space before notifying the local animal control or pound. You should receive a reference number to follow up on the case.

Other important steps to remember:

• Do not rely only on posting in closed WhatsApp or Facebook groups. Not everyone has access to these, and you have not done enough to trace the owners.
• Create posters of the found animal and distribute them within a 5km radius of where you found the pet. Place them at local vets and on shopping mall noticeboards.
• Place an advert in the Advertiser.

“If someone’s pet is missing, they are far more likely to find it if it has been taken to a private vet, the pound, or the SPCA, than if it is kept in a well-meaning finder or foster home,” Tinkler added.

Only the municipal pound and the SPCA are legally allowed to collect stray animals.

It is illegal to hand over a stray to an unregistered organisation, as this is considered theft. Legal action may be taken against anyone keeping a stray without following the correct procedures.

“It is also illegal to ‘foster’ a stray animal unless you have reported it to the pound or SPCA so that it can be officially recorded.”

What to do if your pet goes missing:

Heather Gero, SPCA Treasurer, advises pet owners to:

• Create missing posters with a recent photo and description, and circulate these in your neighbourhood, at shopping centres, and at all local vets.
• Inform your Neighbourhood Watch and share details in WhatsApp and social media groups.
• Report your missing pet to the SPCA.
• Never offer a financial reward, as this encourages scammers and thieves.

How to prevent your pet from going missing:

• Ensure your perimeter fencing is in good condition and suitable for your pet’s size and breed.

“For example, you cannot own a Great Dane or a Pit Bull Terrier with only a 4ft wall,” explained Heather.

• Microchip your pet and ensure it wears a collar with an identification tag.
• Sterilise your pet.

“Sterilised pets are less likely to wander, while unsterilised pets are more likely to roam,” she added.

• If you are going on holiday, book your pet into a reputable boarding facility.

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The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and follow us on our WhatsApp Channel