Preventing unwanted puppies and kittens

The Brakpan SPCA kick-started its mass animal sterilisation programme for 2016 by holding its first Mass Sterilisation Day on Wednesday, last week.

Seventeen animals were sterilised on the day, at the Tsakane Stadium.

Eight newly qualified veterinarians from the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development performed the surgeries.

“It was our first one and I’m very happy with the outcome,” said Ann Martin, fund-raiser and PRO for the Brakpan SPCA.

“The vets did an awesome job and it can only go from strength to strength.”

Animals were sent home to recover, along with a new blanket, food, food bowls, a collar and lead, tick and flea treatment, shampoo and other goodies.

Ann told the Herald that residents of Tsakane showed a lot of enthusiasm for the programme, which is aimed at addressing the overpopulation of pets.

“We had people coming in off the street, asking us about what we were doing, which is great,” she said.

“We were unable to sterilise all the animals we had booked on the day, so we will be doing this again.

“Private vets have also offered their services.”

Another Mass Sterilisation Day is scheduled to take place in Tsakane on Thursday and another will be held in the area on April 6.

A private veterinarian from Pretoria will be assisting the SPCA with animal sterilisations at the Cosy Corner Moth Club, in Brakpan, this weekend (March 5 and 6).

Indigent residents who would like to have their pets sterilised at a nominal fee can contact Ann on 082 909 5612, for more information.

The Brakpan SPCA aims to sterilise 1 000 animals this year.