Surrendered SAPS dogs being rehomed
“Many of these dogs have been found loving families”
Since taking in 214 dogs, surrendered by the Gauteng SAPS K9 Unit, in October, the NSPCA remains positive that all the animals that were placed in the care of various SPCAs across the province will be rehomed.
The City Times previously reported that the Benoni SPCA took in an undisclosed number of these dogs for rehoming.
Keshvi Nair, public relations officer for the NSPCA, explained that the surrender forms part of a long-standing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the SAPS regarding dogs that would no longer be used for service.
“The MoU ensures that animals that will no longer be used in the line of service, for whatever reason, are surrendered to the NSPCA,” said Nair.
“The animals are surrendered as opposed to being sold off to people with no experience, sent to research facilities or sold to security companies where the animals may have to continue working.”
According to Nair, breeds including Labradors, German shepherds, Belgian shepherds and mixed breeds aged between two and six years were assessed upon intake at the NSPCA.
“The majority of the animals’ physical and mental condition were found to be acceptable, thus making them eligible for adoption,” said Keshvi.
“Various aspects contributed to the surrender, one reason stemming from the impact of Covid-19.”
Another over-riding reason was that the surrendered animals were not suitable for service.
“The dogs that were not selected to be used in the SAPS Academy now have a chance of living ‘normal dog lives’ as opposed to being used in working environments that are not suited to their temperament.”
At the time of publication, the NSPCA could not confirm how many of the animals allocated to the Benoni SPCA had been rehomed.
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