Help SPCA rehabilitate over 70 animals rescued from breeder

The Boksburg SPCA has taken in over 70 more animals following the removal of dogs and cats in a severe state of neglect from a former breeder in Boksburg on November 19.

The owner will be prosecuted under the Animals Protection Act. This is according to SPCA manager Vicky Finnemore. 

The SPCA is now appealing to the public to help with monetary donations to rehabilitate the animals, who will all receive veterinary care and some will need special food.

Many of them will also have to stay at the SPCA until the court case has been finalised.

Finnemore said they reacted to a complaint of many dogs being kept in confined and filthy conditions. At the house they found over 70 dogs and cats, including pedigree Yorkshire terriers and Sphynx cats, living in deplorable conditions.

“When meeting with the owner and inspecting the animals it was evident that immediate intervention was needed. SPCA inspectors rushed to the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court to obtain a seizure warrant the same day,” she said.

“The owner claimed she used to be a breeder and said she’d taken on many of the dogs from other breeders around the country who no longer wanted them.”

Inspectors found the animals riddled with ailments, such as dental and gum disease, eye and ear infections, skin conditions, fractured limbs, uterus infections and ingrown claws.

“The dogs were matted beyond recognition and many had developed bacterial skin infections under the knotted fur,” Finnemore said. “Most of the dogs range between the ages of three and 10.”

The owner agreed to surrender most of the dogs and apologised for the condition in which they were found. The rest of the animals had to be seized under the warrant.

Finnemore said it took five long days of sorting, grooming and medically treating the rescued animals.

“The animals which were surrendered will go up for adoption but those seized have to remain at the SPCA until a magistrate decides on their fate,” she added.

“Our staff are exhausted and so are our bank balances. The Sphynx cats are particularly high maintenance animals and require high quality, expensive food, weekly bathing and lots of attention.”

She reiterated that December is the worst time of year for all SPCAs around the country and that this intake of animals couldn’t have come at a worse time.

“The medical costs we’ve incurred have been crippling. We are, therefore, pleading with the public, far and wide, for financial assistance with the rehabilitation of these pets.

“Our feeding, boarding and treatment costs will be exorbitant but we are willing to tackle this obstacle in order to successfully rehome all the animals.

“Monetary donations are priority for this confiscation. While all donations will be greatly appreciated, the public will not be allowed to view any of the animals while they undergo treatment but we’re hoping to put a lot of them up for adoption within the next two weeks,” Finnemore said.

“We’d like to thank Angela from The Doggy Parlour, and Carmel from the original Scruffy to Fluffy, for their generous assistance with the grooming of the Yorkies who worked tirelessly with their staff at pampering over 60 very neglected dogs.”

What is needed/how to donate:
• Good quality tinned dog food\cooked chicken and rice and sensitive cat food.
Those wanting to donate towards the cats can use “Sphynx” as a reference and those wanting to donate towards the dogs can use “Yorkie” as a reference.

To EFT a donation, use: Boksburg SPCA, ABSA, Branch code 630 442, Account number 404 638 8139 (with reference as above).

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