Tough times see rise in neglected animals

“If you are unable to feed your animals due to financial difficulties, consider surrendering your animals to the Brakpan SPCA.”

April 30, 2021

Brakpan Herald 2 minutes read

Would you eat or drink from this? Water and food bowls should be regularly cleaned.

The Brakpan SPCA has recently been called out to many complaints regarding the condition of animals in the community and is very concerned with what is being witnessed.

The society believes the three main causes for this unnecessary suffering is affordability, lack of education about animal welfare and pure neglect.

“We are pleading with the public to please consider what is best for your animal or to not add an animal to the situation if you are facing tough times,” said Brakpan SPCA chairperson Sanette Bosman.

“If you are unable to feed your animals due to financial difficulties, consider surrendering your animals to the Brakpan SPCA.

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“We will never judge you, but rather respect that you would let us help your animals rather than allow them to starve.”

Bosman told the Herald the Brakpan SPCA is always willing to assist where it can.

“If we have any extra food, we will always be happy to share with responsible owners going through a difficult time,” she said.

“We have to reiterate that education and assistance must not be confused with enabling.

“There will be conditions that must be met whilst we assist and we expect the family to try and find a solution to their current problem as our help is short-term.”

Bosman explained the SPCA staff have noticed many community members are not treating their animals for worms regularly or are using low-grade products that have a very poor effect to get rid of the internal parasites and thus taking away all the animal’s nutrition, which in turn is causing the animal’s weight loss.

“Poor quality animal feed is also being used and minimal portions to save on costs,” she said.

“We understand times are tough, however, your animals are not benefitting from this feeding and it will end up costing you far more in medical bills to get your animals in better health,” she said.

“It is also important to keep the area in which your pets live clean and hygienic, free from clutter and faeces, with fresh drinking water available at all times.
“Water and food bowls also have to be cleaned regularly.”

Bosman stated that pet owners who are experiencing financial difficulties and don’t ask for any assistance are neglecting their animals.

“We need to prevent neglect and we are asking the public to help us achieve this,” she said.

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“Any family considering taking on the responsibility of a pet, please consider if you can afford to do so and take care of basic needs such as vaccinations, deworming, tick and flea treatment and most importantly sterilisation.”

For information on how you can help the animals of Brakpan and Tsakani, or if you need assistance, contact the Brakpan SPCA on 011 742 2007 or email at help@brakpanspca.co.za