The Bedfordview and Germiston SPCA was called on to assist after a distemper outbreak at the Alberton SPCA premises.
On August 7 the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) intervened after numerous complaints were received from members of the public and surrounding veterinarians regarding sick dogs at the Alberton SPCA.
In a statement, the NSPCA said the Alberton SPCA was experiencing a distemper outbreak and the facility was unable to adequately isolate dogs and prevent the spread of the disease.
Concerns were also raised for the animals the facility continued to take in.
The NSPCA Society Liaison Unit called meetings with the elected management committee, staff and in-house veterinarian to discuss the situation and to find solutions to solve the problem.
“Some members of the management committee for the Alberton SPCA, including the chairperson, have failed to act responsibly in this regard and continued to accept dogs into the SPCA’s care. Sick dogs cannot adequately be isolated to prevent the spread of the disease. Reports of sick dogs being adopted from the society were also received,” the NSPCA said in a statement.
According to the NSPCA, the committee chose to ignore the advice provided by the in-house veterinarian and the NSPCA; choosing to rather attend to matters in their way without the necessary qualifications.
“Dogs which have valid vaccination certificates will be monitored and will not be euthanised and a national senior inspector will ensure that these dogs are not euthanised, unless they show symptoms of the highly contagious disease,” the NSPCA said.
