#YourStory – Tears and joy of working at the SPCA

Three phenomenal women shared their tears and joys of working for the Edenvale SPCA.

The SPCA consists of more than just animals in the kennels, the organisation houses stray dogs and rescues animals in danger.

“The SPCA is against animal cruelty. The community is the eyes of the organisation as they assist in reporting any cruelty of animals. We have an inspector who will go out and investigate these cases. We also work with stray and unwanted animals, as well as organising outreach programmes to educate communities about the safety and care for animals. We also try to ensure the animals are comfortable and are treated to the best of their needs,” said the manager of the Edenvale SPCA, Ms Marita Acar.

She describes working at the SPCA as “very rewarding”, especially when pet owners visit the SPCA and find their lost animals.

“Having the ability to rescue the animals and give them a second chance is extremely rewarding,” she said.

The SPCA’s Inspector Shirley Meacham, who has been involved with SPCAs since 1996/7, said her most memorable moments include working with a rescue dog and being able to nurse the animal back to health.

“When animals have a chance of being saved and turn out to be lovely animals when nobody else had hope for them, makes working with them worthwhile,” said Shirley.

In addition, Marita said there are moments that are sad when animals are brought in and that are sick or harmed severely.

“Seeing those animals in pain is always the worst, but we opt for the best solutions. Euthanising the animals is only easy when its the only way to free them from pain,” she said.

Shirley said when animals have been at the SPCA for almost a year, and the choice has to be made to euthanise them, it becomes hard and sad to accept that they have not been adopted and the have no other choice because of space constraints.

“During December, if we have no space, we are left with no choice but to euthanise.

“It breaks us to know these animals are healthy and have been put up for adoption,” said Shirley.

The kennel supervisor, Ms Alison Strydom, started working at the SPCA in 2010 and would like to make the SPCA her career.

“I want to be rich but not in terms of money – rather the happiness of the animals,” she said.

She knows each animal the SPCA rescues or houses and has developed the ability to provide detailed descriptions of their likes and habits.

“The perception people normally have of the SPCA and what we do needs to improve.

“We have the animals’ best interests at heart and we strive to do what’s best for the animals.

“Hopefully in a few year’s time people will also understand that although we aren’t a no-kill shelter, sometimes we need to make difficult decisions for the sake of the animals,” she said.

They said being a pet owner is a privilege not a right.

All animals require care and a huge amount of attention.

“When individuals decide to buy animals or adopt them, they need to consider all aspects of their well-being, including vet fees, grooming periods as well as safety for the animals,” said Shirley.

She said the SPCA tries to ensure the animals are headed to good homes with owners who are able to provide for the animal’s needs.

The Edenvale SPCA has an open door policy where the community is welcome to interact and view the animals throughout the week.