THE Durban and Coast SPCA experienced another busy holiday season, with admissions exceeding 100 stray and unwanted cats, kittens, dogs and puppies during the 2025 festive period.

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Tanya Fleischer, the marketing manager for the SPCA, said that intakes usually rise during the holidays, especially from December 24 to January 3.

“We have received 17 reports of lost pets during this time. To date only four animals have been claimed by their owners. Others are still waiting for their owners or are waiting for new homes,” she said.

Collecting missing pets:

Fleischer encouraged owners who have lost pets to visit the SPCA or call the kennels department on 031 579 6524/6 during office hours to file a report.

Festive season recap:

The SPCA’s inspectorate also faced a demanding season with over 430 calls to pick up stray and unwanted animals and more than 930 general service calls. These covered complaints, follow-up visits, rescues, welfare checks and pre-adoption home visits.

Fortunately, there were no reported firework-related injuries on New Year’s; the SPCA handled other urgent incidences from dogs being hit by cars after escaping from properties, to a dog being rescued from between two walls.

Protocol for animals brought into the SPCA:

Fleischer reminded that there are legal protocols to follow when stray animals are brought into the SPCA.

“All stray animals are documented after which they will go through to our clinic to check for a microchip and have a health check. If the animal is microchipped their owner will immediately be notified that their pet is with us. We do reference check against the lost reports received from pet owners to check if there are any possible matches. If there is no tag, no matching lost report, no microchip and we have no way of tracing the owner, the animal is kept for seven days in our care. If the animal is severely injured or unhealthy we will euthanise in the best interest of the animal in our care,” said Fleischer.

After the seven-day period passes, the SPCA becomes the legal owner of the pet. Healthy, friendly animals are put up for adoption and after this point, owners cannot legally claim them.

Fleischer stressed that owners must act quickly if their pets are lost, contacting local vets and animal groups and checking shelters. She also stressed the importance of microchipping as it is the best way to reunite a lost pet.

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