The Tshwane SPCA is calling on residents to ensure their pets are safe and warm during the winter.
This as a series of cold fronts have seen temperatures plummeting, with some early forecasts showing that more are on the way.
SPCA spokesperson and director, Jeanine Niemann-Greatorex said residents should report animal neglect to the SPCA Centurion or SPCA Watloo branches.
“We have a few inspectors over the 6 400 square kilometres from Brits to Bela-Bela, and from Bronkhorstspruit to just before Midrand,” she said.
“We get a lot of calls. We even got a call for a parrot that was left outside.”
She said a resident reported that an African grey parrot was allegedly left outside on the stoep without any covering.
Niemann-Greatorex added that inspectors were sent out to the site, among the many other complaints that the Tshwane SPCA had received.
“This keeps our inspectors busy, so we are urging residents to please keep their animals warm.”
She advised that animals frequently left outside should have jackets or blankets, and some form of shelter from the wind and sun.
“Especially where they sleep – make sure that it is elevated from the ground so that the animal does not have to sleep on the cold ground. A good way to judge it to ask if the temperature is okay with you, then it will be okay for the dog.
“But if you can’t handle it, then why will your dog be able to handle it?”
She said that some rare breeds, such as huskies, may love the cold, but most other pets will not be able to tolerate the freezing temperatures.
The SPCA says that while it is being inundated with calls for animal welfare, residents should contact the city pound to report strays.
Wollies, an animal shelter in Pretoria North is the contracted pound for Pretoria and should handle strays within the metro.
The SPCA is run on donations of food, blankets and money to support the work it does.
For potential donations, contact Jeanine Niemann-Greatorex on 082 780 4642.
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** Please note that this article has been amended.
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