Not so festive season for pets

The festive season was one of celebration for many humans, but the same cannot be said for the furry kids.

According to Mandy Cattanach, senior inspector at the Roodepoort SPCA, they received more than 65 calls pertaining to stray or injured animals during Christmas and New Year. Mandy also said that they cannot even begin to estimate how many wild birds were scared out of their nests, abandoning their chicks in the process.

“We attended to a number of injuries: four dogs of various breeds were stuck in gates and fences. A pitbull smashed through a glass window to gain entry into his owner’s home. Many dogs and cats were running blindly to try and get away from the noise and bright lights of fireworks and there were a few motor vehicle accidents involving animals as well. Unfortunately, we were not able to rescue all of them,” Mandy said. She urged homeowners to not chase away any unknown cats spotted in their yards, but to rather phone the SPCA to collect them.

“Hopefully we can reunite them with their owners,” she said.

If your pets went missing during the craziness of the festive celebrations, you should visit the SPCA to check their kennels. Although the Roodepoort SPCA is the municipal pound for all stray animals, it does happen that animal shelters also take in stray animals, making it difficult for owners to find lost pets. That is why you should also contact and visit all the animal shelters in your area to see if your pets are there. The local veterinarians should also be contacted. “Putting up posters in your area containing your pet’s photo and description is always a big help”, Mandy said.

Owners are reminded that, if their pets are at the Roodepoort SPCA, a reclaim and boarding fee will be charged before they can be taken home. “After the 96-hour pound period, all animals will be available for adoption. All adoption procedures and checks will then be applicable – even if you are the owner,” said Mandy. Before any animal is reclaimed, positive proof of ownership will be required.

Owners who handed in their animals as unwanted before and during the festive season will be blacklisted and not allowed to adopt any animals from the Roodepoort SPCA. According to Mandy, many owners do not book boarding kennels for their pets, or ensure they are taken care of by a responsible person. “It is easier for them to just discard their pets at the SPCA. When they return from their holiday, and their pets are still with us, they adopt them at a fraction of what the boarding fees would be. If their pets are no longer available, they just adopt another one,” said Mandy.

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.

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