Heed these SPCA tips

The Benoni SPCA has decided to educate the public on the care of cats and dogs.

Cats:

•  Give them regular meals of canned cat food and always provide them with clean drinking water.

Remember that cats need to eat a certain amount of grass to keep healthy.

•  Do not let your cat eat out of dirt bins and never give your cat fish, chicken bones or dog food.
•  Don’t tie ribbons around your cat’s neck, as they may get caught in a tree and be badly hurt.
•  Put a collar with an elastic insert on your cat, so that it can pull free if it gets caught.
• Put your name, address and phone number on the collar. Never bath your cat, as this could cause injury or sickness.
•  Take your kitten to the SPCA or a veterinarian for vaccination and deworming when it reaches eight weeks of age.
•  If your cat scratches a lot, or rubs its head against the floor, it may have an irritation in the ear.

Dogs:

•  Dogs must be well fed, using meat or store bought dog food. They also need a lot of clean water and free space.

Do not feed them only mealie-meal, as this will make them fat, but will not keep them healthy.

•  If your dog is sick, take it to a veterinarian or the SPCA.
•  Make sure your dog does not get fleas or ticks.

You can wash your dog in dog dip or take it to the SPCA to be dipped.

•  Have your dog injected against distemper and Parvovirus (also called cat ‘flu) when it is two months old.

Your dog must have a repeat injection every year.

The SPCA advocates early age sterilisation of pets, as the number of puppies and kittens often outweighs the number of adopting households.

The standard age to have cats and dogs sterilised is three months, which can be done at a veterinarian or through the SPCA.

Members of the public are urged to treat their pets with respect and to never abuse them.

If you no longer want your pets, take them to the SPCA; do not throw them away or try to kill them.

For more information call the Benoni SPCA (011 894 2814/5), or visit the society at 3 Klein Street, Lakefield.