SPCA and AACL respond to allegations of ill-treatment

RONEL VAN TONDER (52) from Elandspark was left disgusted after she felt ill-treated by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL) for not providing her dog with veterinary treatment.

The 52-year-old claims she had no money for treatment so she requested AACL to help her pro bono but they demanded R280 plus medication fee. She told COURIER she went on to seek help at SPCA but they also demanded a fee of R142.

Ronel van Tonder says she used to help AACL and SPCA with donations while she was still working. She explained that she also wanted the same treatment from both parties as she is now jobless.

“It was like being slapped in the face, going to these two organisations. You are left to explain your financial situation in front of all the people behind you in the queue. To literally beg. Of course I left, I burst into tears for being treated likea worm,” she said.

SPCA responded to the claims

SPCA confirmed that Ronel van Tonder did come to the SPCA for her dog’s treatment. Ann Smilkstein, the office administration manager, explains:

“When enquiring what our consultation charge was, she got extremely upset and informed us that we are more expensive than AACL and that she could not afford our fees.

“Our reception staff tried to explain to her that she can speak to the administration manager to try and make some sort of arrangement with her and see how we could assist her, which she refused,” Ann explained.

“Both our reception staff and our administration manager tried to call her back when she stormed out and got into her car to leave. Our reception staff actually followed suit and went out to her vehicle to try and speak to her and see how we could assist, but the young man accompanying her informed us to just leave it.

“We were more than willing to assist her in any way that we could, but can’t force someone who refuses the assistance,” Ann said.

AACL also responded:

Carren Nickloes, AACL marketing manager, said: “We do not offer a free service through our hospital and this was explained to Ronel van Tonder when she came to us. It was also explained to her that we work on a Means System which is in accordance with the South African Veterinary Council, where costs are based on the income of our clients.

Ronel van Tonder expressed that due to the fact she is unemployed and unable to afford the subsidised charges, she had decided to euthanise her dog as he was 11 years old and was experiencing health issues. We offered to assist in this by euthanising the dog at no charge, which she agreed to.”

“It was then once again explained to her that we would not be able to assist her free of charge in any medical treatment prescribed. It would be in accordance with her Means rating.

“During the consultation discussions with one of our chief veterinarians, we advised her of the cost implications for treatment for the dog. She expressed her disappointment to him whereby she stormed out of the hospital.

“It needs to be realised that we deal with many clients who are pensioners, unemployed, retrenched or have a low income daily. All clients are vetted by the same Almony system, with medical treatment for their pets being subsidised accordingly.

“We strive at all times to treat all our clients with respect and dignity and offer them a professional service,” said Nickloes.

AACL went on to say if Ronel van Tonder felt ill-treated they apologise for that. They were only providing her with the veterinary treatment that she requested and which is available to all of their clients.

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