Kloof SPCA kennels filled to capacity
32 stray dogs, four cats, one injured bird and one severely injured mongoose were taken to the Kloof and Highway SPCA during the New Year weekend.
THE Kloof and Highway SPCA kennels are filled to capacity with an influx of stray and unwanted animals being brought into the animal shelter over the festive season.
Heather Ainsworth, Kloof and Highway SPCA’s marketing assistant said they received many stray animals even during the week prior to the New Year.
“There have been quite a few more pet-sitters coming in this year to look for lost pets. We appeal to our community when going away on holiday to check on your pets daily,” said Ainsworth.
Animal stats
Over the New Year weekend, 32 stray dogs, four cats, one injured bird and one severely injured mongoose were brought into the Kloof and Highway SPCA.
An extra three dogs came in injured, another two dogs had to be put down, one at the owner’s request as it had been severely mauled by other dogs after it had panicked and escaped from its premises. The other dog was badly injured after being hit by a car on the Dumisami Makhaye Freeway, KwaDabeka.
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Ainsworth said a microchip is a great safety precaution. Most vets and shelters have scanners, so if and when pets get lost he or she is quickly reunited with its human family
Social media
“It has been noticed that many dogs are reported on social media as found and are not brought into the Kloof and Highway SPCA. The Kloof and Highway SPCA appeal to the community to report both lost and found dogs or cats so that we can assist in reuniting owners with their pets when they come in looking for their companions,” said Ainsworth.
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On New Year’s day the Kloof and Highway SPCA opened at 9am to 12pm to release pets back to their owners and to allow people to come through and look for their pets. Fifteen of the stray dogs that were admitted over New Year’s eve were claimed.
Community support and care
She added that a few thoughtful members of the community also popped in to donate food for the animals in their care.
“We would like to thank all the amazing members of the public who picked up strays over the festive season and New Year and saved these poor animals from harm and gave them comfort. A special thank you to the staff and volunteers of the Kloof and Highway SPCA who worked many hours late into the night on the public holiday to manage the influx of animals as well as the inspectors, Petros Simamane and Petra Abrams for being on duty over the New Year period. Your commitment to the welfare of animals is appreciated and commended.”
Ainsworth urged pet owners to continue to remain cautious over the next few days as remaining fireworks are set off sporadically.
Stray and lost animals can be brought through to the Kloof and Highway SPCA Standby kennels 24 hours a day at 29 Village Road, Kloof. For injured animals or after hours emergencies please call the inspector on standby on 073 335 9322. The office hour’s number is 031 764 1212/3.
If you are missing a pet, visit the Kloof and Highway SPCA to look for your animal and to create an official lost report. The Kloof and Highway SPCA are open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm and on Saturdays from 8am to noon.
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