Covid-19: SPCA animals need your help in lockdown
The Germiston SPCA needs donations to help animals during the 21-day lockdown.
As people stay in their homes during the 21-day national lockdown, they are urged to spare a thought for shelter animals.
The Germiston SPCA has put stringent measures in place to ensure that it continues operating during the lockdown.
The society is classified as an essential service and will continue to attend to animal cruelty cases and emergencies.
“Animal cruelty will not stop due to the nation being on lockdown and we suspect that many animals will suffer during these trying times,” said Jacques Peacock, Germiston SPCA management committee secretary, on behalf of the management committee.
Animals already admitted to the society and those who come in in the weeks to follow will still be cared for.
The lockdown will have a severe impact on the income of the SPCA, due to no visitors to the society and the suspension of income-generating services and fund-raising events.
“We plead with our community to continue supporting our society during this time, via our online donation platforms.
“Please consider donating towards our society to ensure that we can continue our service to the animals and the community, pay our staff and settle our bills,” said Peacock.
Donations can be made into the Germiston SPCA’s back account: First National Bank, account number: 5111 271 6150, branch: Eastgate, branch code: 250 655.
Secure donations can also be made via Payfast: https://www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/germistonbedfordviewspca.
The SPCA has reduced its staff capacity to an alternating skeleton staff roster.
“We will have staff members staying on the property who will be able to care for the animals in the kennels and any new ones,” said Peacock.
“No volunteers will be allowed during the nationwide lockdown.”
Staff members will be on duty to respond to animal emergencies both during office hours and after hours.
Strict hand-washing and disinfection protocols will apply.
The focus of the SPCA’s work during this time will be on emergency care, such as animal cruelty cases and caring for sick and injured animals.
“All animals admitted to our society will be admitted through our after-hours drop-off kennels, on the left-side of our society.
“These kennels will be serviced regularly, and strict disinfection protocols of the kennels and stationery will take place,” said Peacock.
“Our reception will be closed, and the staff will only be attending to phone calls and emails.
“To contact the Germiston SPCA call 011 825 5033 or send an email to reception@spcagermiston.co.za.”
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Owners will still have the seven-day period to reclaim stray animals.
Reclaiming of animals will be done by appointment only.
Members of the public can lodge animal cruelty complaints by calling 011 825 5033 during office hours or 082 675 0072 after hours.
“Should any member of the public wish to surrender their animals, or become aware of an injured or stray animal, we urge you to bring the animals to our society, as we need to limit travel as much as possible.
“We will only collect confined stray animals,” said Peacock.
“Please note that we have no authority in terms of legislation to issue affidavits or letters stating people can feed feral cat colonies.
“Permission for such activities must be obtained from the local JOC, with the assistance of the SAPS.”
All adoptions are suspended until further notice, due to the movement of members of the public being restricted to buying food, seeking medical care, etc.
All non-essential veterinary services, such as vaccinations, deworming and sterilisations have also been suspended until further notice and the thrift shop and bookshop are closed.
“We urge our community to remain calm and to take the welfare of their animals into consideration during this time.
“Abandoning your animal is a crime and we plead with members of the public to rather surrender your animals to your local SPCA should you not be able to care for them anymore,” Peacock said.
“We assure you that we remain dedicated to our core mandate – the prevention of cruelty to animals, which we must do in a responsible way.
“We ask for the public’s understanding and support during this difficult time while we do our part to flatten the curve.
“Let’s continue working for the animals and show compassion to every living creature that walks this earth.”
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