Festive season strain for SPCA

The Bedfordview, Germiston and Edenvale SPCA were strained to capacity as a result of the fireworks and animal negligence over the past festive season.

The Edenvale SPCA received a total of 15 reported lost dogs and cats. Since Christmas Day, the Edenvale SPCA has taken in 49 animals. On New Year’s eve and day, the Edenvale SPCA took in 12 animals that were abandoned, lost, or missing, however there weren’t any reports of animals being injured over the festive period.

The 49 animals taken in over this festive season is an increase, compared to the total of 43 lost animals over the 2012 to 2013 festive season.

Mrs Dennise Beattie, the Edenvale SPCA manager said, “We are drowning in animals and none of the 15 animals reported as lost have been found, so that could take the potential numbers into the 60s. To see fireworks in the sky for a few seconds is not worth the harm these fireworks are causing to animals.”

“These pet owners are so distraught over the loss of their pets, all because of the fireworks. That is why I am against fireworks. The festive season has been a strain on the Edenvale SPCA. For the number of available resources here, the 49 added animals had to be shifted along with the animals already at the SPCA. It is actually a strain on the SPCA staff and I wish people would take more care,” Mrs Beattie said.

Mr Laurence Kingston, the manager of the Bedfordview and Germiston SPCA said, “December was a very busy month and it always is. Because of the fireworks and people going on holiday, we had a number of abandoned, lost and missing pets. Throughout the festive season we admitted 343 dogs into the Bedfordview and Germiston SPCA and that is a clear 40 percent higher than what we do over a normal month.”

“The majority of the dogs and cats came in over an eight-day period spanning from Christmas Day to January 2. There is no doubt that we pin this issue on fireworks because even over Christmas, people were detonating fireworks. On January 2 alone, over a dozen pets were brought into the Bedfordview and Germiston SPCA,” said Mr Kingston.

“The main cause of the animals running away has been fireworks. It would be nice if we could ban fireworks, or if not, then try control the use of fireworks better. I am strongly against fireworks because that’s why a lot of animals are injured. It is not just animals that are hurt, children and adults as well. Fireworks are abused beyond the designated times allocated for New Years,” said Mr Kingston.

“Fortunately, there has not been any serious injury, cruelty reports or any bad accidents that have happened to any animals. We can thank the community in that regard because a lot of community members have been responsible this year,” Mr Kingston added.

Mrs Beattie commended the Edenvale SAPS that were patrolling on the New Year’s Eve, and who confiscated fireworks being used without permits.