There is no excuse for abandoning an animal when the services of the SPCA are available, says Elizabeth Down, Office Manager at Wellington SPCA. This comes after three dogs were recently abandoned close to the organisation’s kennels.
The dogs were left in an open field with bushes close to the road. SPCA officers who were on duty on 12 February spotted one of the dogs by coincidence and went to investigate in the bushes.
“Luckily we saw one small black shape [dog] when leaving the kennels,” said Down. “We could have missed them and they would have been left to be hit by a vehicle, be the cause of an accident, died from the elements or starvation. When searching around the overgrown area we found the other two puppies, but we did not know if we had missed any [other dogs] or if the mother was left out as well.”
When the dogs were found they were clearly traumatised, terrified, emaciated and starving. It has been more than a week since the dogs were rescued and they are doing much better, after also receiving much-needed medical care. Since being in the care of Down and her colleagues, the dogs have now also been named — Faith, Hope and Charity. Down added: “We are seeing their personalities now. [They are] eating well, have been vet-checked and dewormed and will be vaccinated as soon as their stray period is over.”
When it comes to the neglect of animals in Wellington, the local SPCA sees many cases in the area. Down says the cases range from animals who live in inadequate conditions to sick or injured animals that do not receive the necessary veterinary treatment.
Trends that the organisation have also picked up are that animals are more likely to be neglected around school holidays or from late November to late January. These are the times when Wellington SPCA get an increase in both surrendered and stray animals.
“It is a contravention of the Animals Protection Act no 71 of 1962 to abandon an animal,” said Down. “Perpetrators who have contravened the Act may be subject to a fine, imprisonment or both.”
She further explained every single SPCA across the country is mandated to accept any unwanted or stray animals: “This means that if people no longer want their pet (regardless of whether it is a domestic, farm or wild animal) they can surrender it to their local SPCA at no cost to the person surrendering the unwanted or stray animal. We implore the public to rather bring their animals to the SPCA instead of cruelly dumping or abandoning them.”
The average number of dogs that have been admitted to Wellington SPCA per month, over the past few months, are 200.
Meanwhile the average number of cats admitted are 120. Eighty percent of these animals are surrendered by people, while law enforcement will bring in around 80 animals per month.
As a non-profit organisation Wellington SPCA depend on fundraising events, financial donations and sponsors from the community. This enables them to go out into the community with their mobile clinic to offer affordable veterinary care. The community are also welcome to come and play with the animals during day visits at the kennels. These visits only take place by appointment.
This coming Sunday (27 February) the Grade 11 council of Huguenot High School will be visiting Wellington SPCA as part of their first quarter community outreach project. The youngsters will be decorating the inside walls of the organisation’s play and family area at the kennels. A special spot at the entrance of the building will be decorated for all donation and adoption photo opportunities.
“They are also collecting much needed supplies for us like dry kitten and puppy food as well as cat litter, which we are always in need of.”
Down further pleads with the public to contact them immediately when they see any animal that is in need. She emphasises that all complaints remain anonymous.
Contact Wellington SPCA at their office on 021 864 3726 or on their emergency line 082 905 9184.
