New pet sterilisation clinic will prevent stray puppies
CHARTWELL - Ark Animal Centre has started a sterilisation campaign to encourage pet owners to sterilise their animals in order to prevent unwanted puppies and kittens being born.
The main part of the campaign will be the launch of the Ark Veterinary Spray and Neuter Clinic which will offer sterilisations to the general public at reduced rates.
Candice Eilertsen, of the shelter, explained that the shelter regularly receives puppies from the same people in the community. “These people are sitting with 10 to 15 dogs per property, all unsterilised and they are not in a position to sterilise each dog at the current veterinary cost which could be up to R1500 per animal,” she said.
While Ark would like to sponsor the full cost of all sterilisations, they are not in a position to do so. They are therefore calling on the community for help with sponsoring the hundreds of sterilisations that are needed in the community.
“We don’t believe in no charge,” Eilertsen said. “Responsibility has to be taken so even if a person can only afford R5 they must contribute to their pet’s sterilisation.”
Apart from sponsoring sterilisations, Ark is also calling on the community for financial help in order to fully equip their sterilisation clinic. To set up the clinic, Ark will need to refurbish their anesthetic machine. They will also need to purchase two spray sets and spray cradles, two stainless steel tables, a teeth cleaning set, holding cages, extra tubes, swabs, blades, drip sets and sinks, an autoclave, surgery lamp, aircon and a fridge. The estimated total cost of the equipment is R150 000 to R200 000.
“We believe in helping ourselves before asking others for help,” Eilertsen said. “This is a big project for the community and we are unable to do this on our own. We believe that this is the way to be proactive in solving all these unwanted pregnancies.”
Details: 087 742 2211; candice@arkanimalcentre.co.za; arkanimalcentre.wordpress.com
