Gallery: Life under the Covid-19 national lockdown at Randburg SPCA
NORTH RIDING – Spare a thought for the animals and staff at the Randburg SPCA during the Covid-19 national lockdown.
For most of us, the national lockdown has been utter torture. The lack of free movement, and access to the things, or people we love, has taken its toll. Now imagine you were an animal in a kennel waiting for a forever home? The animals at the Randburg SPCA arrive with baggage. Baggage in the form of a past which often, is riddled with cruelty, neglect, abandonment, or intolerance.
But let’s start with the people ensuring all the animals receive care.
Like with all animal shelters or municipal pounds, the management at Randburg SPCA acted swiftly to ensure the animals would not be affected by the lockdown or Covid-19 restrictions. Five dedicated and brave staff members (Kagiso Lephoto, Molefi Mosenogi, Gift Shumba, Tshepo Mokwena and Elvis Makhubedu) have committed to staying on the property to ensure all animals are cared for.
Inspectors are still sent out to a variety of cases, some of which would make your very skin crawl. A recent case, was a vervet monkey who was rescued from a 200-strong mob of attackers in Kya Sand. Staff members risked their own physical safety, facing the risk of community violence and also, of course, exposure to Covid-19. Read the full story here: Randburg SPCA staff risk lives to save brutalised Vervet monkey from informal settlement It is truly a team effort, all hands-on deck so they say.
Animals
The sad reality is that, for these animals, this lockdown is business as usual. The looks of unadulterated pleasure on each dogs’ face when they receive their daily walks or time running in lush grass will bring a tear to any eye. Not to forget the loud purring bellowing from a cat’s belly as she receives scratches and plenty of cuddles.
So, give a thought to a shelter animal the next time you complain about not being able to run around your block. Support for the animals has been wonderful with daily supplies of food coming. Despite the generosity the SPCA receives from their loyal community, unfortunately, it is never enough.
Donations of fly traps, puppy and kitten food, as well as financial donations are greatly needed. Remember the staff on the frontline the next time you pop out for essentials. A wish list is below. 
