Don’t buy puppies or kitten at roadside sales
People think they are saving a puppy or kitten when they buy these at roadside sales, but they are just fuelling the trade.
PEOPLE often phone the SPCA to complain about puppies and/or kittens being sold by the roadside. The Municipal by-laws state that “no dog shall be offered for sale from any public place or any road verge or intersection within the jurisdiction of the council without written authority of the council, such notice of authority to be available at the place of sale for the inspection of any authorised officer.”
“While the Alberton SPCA does attend and advise the vendors they are breaking the law, we cannot simply confiscate the animals. In order for the SPCA to take an animal from its owner, we have to obtain a warrant and comply with all laws unless we see that the animal is in immediate danger. We have protocols to follow, as well as the law, and cannot cross that line,” explained Vanja Ingold, admin manager at the Alberton SPCA.
The problem when people see puppies and kittens for sale is they think by buying them they are ‘saving’ the animal. “Unfortunately, what they are doing is fuelling the trade. If someone thinks they can get a few hundred rands by selling puppies and kittens then they’ll continue to do so. A few months down the line, the impulse to buy results in the animals being handed over to the SPCA as the cute puppy or kitten has grown up.
“We always advocate ‘adopt, don’t shop’, as by adopting you are helping two animals – the one you adopt and the one that invariably will take its place in the shelter. In addition, adopted animals are sterilised and vaccinated. If you buy at the side of the road, at a market or from backyard breeders, you have absolutely no comeback. These animals will not have been vaccinated or de-wormed and you could be opening yourself to a heap of problems. Please rather adopt an animal rather than buying one. We have rules in place but we act in the animal’s interest at all times,” Vanja said.
“Sadly people see animals as a way of making a few rands tax free. Unfortunately, their irresponsibility results in expenses for the SPCA when these animals end up with us,” she said.
For any further information please contact the Alberton SPCA on 011 907 1568.
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