This past holiday season was not as pleasant for all pets as it was for residents of Randfontein.
According to Janette Muller from the Randfontein and Westonaria SPCA, “Since the first week in January, we have had as many as 40 animals and 35 carcasse brought in to the SPCA.”
She says that most of these animals are unwanted Christmas gifts, dogs that ran away from fireworks and animals that have simply been left while the owners went on holiday.
Although there were no reports of dogs being trapped or injured through fireworks, they did find a dog in Kameel Street that was run over after it got a fright.
Muller added that setting off fireworks in a residential area is a criminal offence and punishable by law. No person may light or ignite fireworks in any place where animals are present. This includes domestic homes.
Muller urges the public to prevent animals being dropped off at the SPCA by not giving pets to friends and family as presents.
“This is the worst time of year – as soon as school opens, only then do children and their parents realise that pets are hard work and cost money. Dogs are then simply dropped off at the SPCA. Some people even board their animals for the holidays and then never collect them.”
Muller also urges the community to physically go to the SPCA to look for their missing pet. Giving descriptions on the phone can be very confusing and inaccurate. Muller also mentions people buying chameleons from merchants on the roads around Randfontein is illegal, as chameleons are an endangered specie.
On visiting the SPCA, the Herald noticed a dog who had sustained severe injuries by a type of rope that was tied around his mouth. The dog was even brought in with the rope around its mouth. Nobody knows for how long the dog was tied up like that. The dog seemed very traumatised. This can all be avoided by people not accepting pets as presents. Humans do not like feeling unwanted. Neither do animals.
The SPCA Randfontein’s office number is currently out of order. Please contact them on 073 389 4183.
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