Why sponsoring a sterilisation will help the SPCA
Many people sell kittens and puppies for profit.
As followers of the Boksburg SPCA Facebook page will know, there is a never-ending influx of stray, unwanted, neglected and abused animals into their kennels. The Boksburg Advertiser did a quick Q & A with manager Vicky Finnemore to find out why sterilising animals is one of their main focuses.
Why is sterilisation such a focus for the SPCA and what successes have you had in this regard?
The reason the SPCA promotes sterilisation is because we take in hundreds of unwanted puppies and kittens every month. By sterilising animals, we can prevent unwanted litter from being born. The Boksburg SPCA works in underprivileged areas every week and our main focus is to educate the community on the importance of sterilisation.
What are the main barriers to people understanding the importance of sterilisation of their animals?
People understand what sterilisation means but not everyone is willing to sterilise because of the costs involved. Many make a profit by selling the puppies or kittens their pets produce. Convincing a person to spay a dog thats bringing in cash from its offspring can be difficult.
Which of your programmes are specifically focused on sterilisation?
All our outreach work focuses specifically on education.
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How has the public in these areas responded to being educated about sterilising their pets?
We’ve had a good response from most people with regard to sterilising their pets. Unfortunately, its often the pit bull owners who refuse to sterilise, even when its offered to them free.
How do sponsorships of sterilisations by the public help the work you do?
By preventing breeding we, ultimately, prevent cruelty. We prevent unwanted puppies and kittens from being dumped in the veld or drowned in buckets of water. We prevent the starvation of too many mouths to feed. We prevent sexually transmitted animal diseases and, most importantly, we prevent the euthanasia of thousands of innocent animals.
What is the cost for the public to sponsor a sterilisation?
Cat spay (R650) and dog spay (R850).
Contact Boksburg SPCA on 011 916 5906 for more information, and follow them on Facebook (Boksburg SPCA New FB Page).
ALSO READ: No more animal blues thanks to SPCA outreach
