Know what to do when you find a stray animal

The Germiston SPCA has the following advice for community members with regard to stray animals.

First and foremost, safety and caution are a must.

A frightened, sick or injured animal may behave unpredictably.

Lost animals may be frightened and can bite unexpectedly.

Many cats are feral (wild) and won’t allow you to touch them.

Making a sudden move or chasing a lost animal may cause more harm than good and may cause an animal to run into traffic or to run further away.

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What you should do:

• Restrain the animal if possible. If an animal is injured on the road, attempt to divert traffic around it. When it is safe to do so, try and get the animal on a blanket and pull it to the side of the road.

• Call the SPCA or your nearest animal welfare organisation immediately and report the injured animal. Try to determine if an inspector is available to help and approximately how long it will take before help arrives.

• Make sure you have the SPCA’s or nearest animal welfare organisation’s contact details, as well as the after-hours emergency number, saved on your cellphone.

• When approaching a lost animal, move slowly and ensure the animal can see you while you are speaking calmly and in a reassuring voice. Try to squat so that you’re not leaning over the animal. Restrain it if possible. If this is not possible, try to lure the animal into your car by calling it or by using food. Bear in mind that a lost animal may become frantic or aggressive once it is in the car with you.

• It is, therefore, a good idea to be prepared and keep the following items in the car to assist you: a collar and leash, a heavy blanket, a folded up cardboard box and water.

• If you are unable to transport the animal to your nearest SPCA or animal welfare organisation, try to locate the owner while waiting for the animal welfare authorities to arrive.

• Always check if the animal has a name tag or a collar with the owners’ contact details.

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Finding and rescuing a stray animal does not entitle you to keep it.

Because animals are classified as property under South African law, keeping a found animal without returning it to the relevant authorities would be an offence.

Due to the current lockdown regulations, if you become aware of an injured or stray animal the Germiston SPCA urges the public to bring the

animal to the society, as the society needs to limit travel as much as possible.

The SPCA will only collect confined stray animals.

The Germiston SPCA can be contacted by calling 011 825 5033 or by sending an email to reception@spcagermiston.co.za.