The Cape of Good Hope SPCA is appealing for assistance from the community after experiencing a major decline in winter adoptions and an increase in admissions this year.

Winter adoptions at the SPCA fall by an average of 14%, says SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham.

“In the worst month recorded over the past three years, they dropped by more than 30%. Fewer people adopt in winter. Over the past three years that pattern has been consistent; June, July and August are reliably our lowest adoption months, while November, December and January are our strongest.”

Daily intake

An average of 75 unwanted and stray animals enter the SPCA’s care every day, Abraham adds.

“Some are found wandering the streets injured or ill. Some are surrendered by people who can no longer care for them. And many are brought to the SPCA by other animal welfare organisations,” she said.

In recent weeks, two mass animal rescues added another 74 animals to the SPCA’s intake.

“Fifty were rescued during Cape Town’s severe storm. Some were cold and soaked. Some were chained in the elements. Others had tried to find shelter under whatever rubble they could,” she added.

A further 24 animals were seized from an illegal backyard breeding operation in Dunoon last month.
“This is why the winter decline in adoptions matters,” said Abraham.

“We are still admitting an average of 75 animals a day. Then a storm happens, or a major cruelty case, and many more arrive at once. When fewer animals are being adopted, the operational pressures build very quickly,” she said.

Donations

The SPCA are also seeking blanket, dry dog and cat food donations.

“We also need durable chew toys to keep animals occupied,” she added.

Abraham says it remains a challenge keeping their animals stimulated in a very stressful kennel environment.

“Volunteers can sign up to walk dogs and spend one-on-one time with them, which is so valuable. It removes them from a stressful environment, gives them time to decompress and builds some resilience, enabling them to cope in the environment for longer,” she says.

All volunteers are invited to a mandatory orientation session during which they learn more about the law that governs our work and are given animal handling training by our onsite behaviourist.

“Every animal shelter in Cape Town is full; there is genuinely nowhere for animals left to go. We are in the throes of a pet overpopulation crisis, and as the only organisation with a policy to never turn any animal away. The animals need homes now. The inclement weather won’t stop soon. Our cruelty response won’t stop. What we are asking is that the adoptions don’t stop either,” she added.

For more information contact Belinda Abraham at comms@spca-ct.co.za.

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