POLOKWANE – The SPCA does not only look after abused pets, but they also care for strays and animals surrendered to them when their owners are no longer able to look after them.
Whenever they find a stray animal, they wait seven days to see if the owners come looking for them before the animal is put up for adoption.
People who have found their lost pet at the SPCA know they have to pay a small fee as the SPCA had to not only house the animal but provide it with food during its stay.
Currently there are more than 30 dogs and 30 cats in the care of the SPCA Polokwane and buying food alone for these animals is a big expense. As the SPCA is a non-profit organisation, they use the money paid by those collecting their stray animals or those adopting new pets to pay these expenses but it is often not enough.
This is why the SPCA is always so thankful for any donations, whether it be food, toys or blankets for the animals.
“Each donation makes a difference and helps us to feed everyone. We encourage everyone to remember to come and look for your pet in our kennels first whenever they are missing.
“We have found so many times that people will post on Facebook, and near everywhere else, looking for their missing pet instead of contacting us to find out if the animal was found by our officers or by someone who brought it in as a stray,” said Tania le Roux, Chairperson of the SPCA Polokwane Committee.
Procedure to claim your pet:
1. Bring proof of ownership such as a photo with you and the pet.
2. Identify your pet.
3. The pet will be microchipped.
4. Pay a kennel stay fee of R70 a night and R150 for the microchip. If the SPCA collected your dog from the street, a R100 transport fee will be charged.
5. Take your pet home.
The stray period is seven days; after seven days the pet will be put up for adoption.