Lower South Coast SPCA sterilises a whopping 61 pets
The sterilisation drive was for pet-owners in Gcilima and KwaNzimakwe, near Leisure Bay.
Unwanted litters of puppies are an ongoing nightmare for animal welfare organisations worldwide.
Shockingly, two dogs can create a ripple effect of up to 67 000 puppies, if they breed several times a year and then these puppies all grow up and have puppies of their own, which have puppies of their own, which is why sterilisation of pets is so important.
The Lower South Coast SPCA hosted a sterilisation drive on the weekend for pet-owners in Gcilima and KwaNzimakwe, near Leisure Bay.
A whopping 59 dogs (32 females and 27 males) and two male cats were sterilised and vaccinated against rabies, a deadly yet preventable disease that kills dozens of people and children each year.
A few weeks ago, the SPCA team circulated flyers notifying residents of the ‘steri drive’, with taxi drivers sharing flyers, and information about it spreading quickly in the community.
The owners brought their pets to certain collection points last Friday, where they were fetched by the SPCA inspectorate team and kept overnight before being attended to on Saturday morning by a multi-person medical team.
The SPCA’s vets, Dr Didier Wadima and Dr Johané Janse van Rensburg, were there and were assisted by two veterinarians from the Eastern Cape, Dr Logeshni Pillay and Dr Athule Ndabankulu.
“We work closely with the Eastern Cape vets in our mutual efforts to address animal welfare issues,” said Mike Davis, manager and inspector at the SPCA.
“Preventing unwanted litters by sterilisation is vital to stop pet overpopulation, dumping or abandonment of puppies and kittens. We sincerely thank the Friends of the K9 Trust and Lea Kassner, for covering the costs associated with this weekend’s steri drive. You have helped us to make a difference in this community.”
The SPCA is appealing for support to continue its work helping animals in need. Anyone able to assist can contact them on 039 3120962.
SPCAs across the country are, like most welfare organisations, under immense financial pressure. Each SPCA is established by its community and relies solely on the community for funding. Larger financial donations are eligible for an 18A tax certificate on request. Including the SPCA of your choice in your will (it must be specifically named to prevent confusion over which SPCA is the beneficiary), is a powerful way to continue supporting vulnerable animals long into the future.
The SPCA is the country’s only animal welfare organisation gazetted into law, with the authority to prosecute cruelty and protect all creatures, from pets and livestock to wildlife, reptiles, birds and fish.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
