‘We need to shut their doors – for good’
West Rand Pet and Bird Farm in the spotlight, once again
The spotlight has once again fallen on the West Rand Pet and Bird Farm, after a community member complained about the neglectful conditions at the establishment.
According to Smaragda Louw from the Ban Animal Trading (Bat) group, they received a complaint on 19 March, highlighting some very serious issues.
“We contacted the complainant, who informed us about sick birds and a hedgehog with an infected eye. Wanting to see for ourselves, we immediately drove through to the pet shop, and the photos we took show sick birds, bunnies with sore eyes, overgrown enclosures, rusty cages, full garbage bins and a general state of mess on the grounds. What the photos do not show, is the bad smell that permeates the property,” she said.
They reported the matter to the Roodepoort/ Krugersdorp SPCA, and Mandy Cattanach, the manager, confirmed, “We received the complaint and photos, and I sent one of my inspectors out immediately. We could not find the hedgehog with the infected eye anywhere, but did see a lot of dirty cages, long and overgrown grass in some of the enclosures and a general state of neglect. We issued a warning, and gave the management 24 hours to comply.”
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She added that the West Rand Pet and Bird Farm has been a problem for many years, but, because the owners are not contravening the Animal Protection Act, they can only issue them with warnings, and are not able to close them down. “Every time we issue them with a warning, they comply and fix everything, but, until we find them guilty of breaking the law, we cannot do anything more,” she explained.
Cattanach also urged the community to do their bit to help with this issue, and said, “If the public continues to support this business, they are just as guilty in contributing to these animals’ suffering. In essence, they are funding the abuse, and if they stop buying from them, they will have no other choice than to close down.”
Louw echoed these sentiments and said, “Team Bat are disgusted daily by the cruelty and neglect in the pet shop industry, and this type of exploitation of animals for financial gain is unacceptable. Please don’t support pet shops that sell any animals. If there are animals in the store, walk out the door!”
The members of Bat will be hosting a peaceful gathering against the sale of animals on 24 March, from 10am to 12noon. “We will be gathering outside the West Rand Pet and Bird Farm premises in Albertina Sisulu Road, and are urging those who want to help us make a difference to join us. Although we do not have a permit, we did inform the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, and participants can rest assured that there will be no repercussions. We will provided flyers and posters on the day. This is not being done for ourselves, but for the animals, who, in the end, need humans to stand up for them,” Louw said.
She concluded with the following message: “There are literally thousands of animals in shelters waiting to be adopted, and I am not talking about just cats and dogs. There are bird rescues, monkey rescues and bunny rescues (to name a few) that are bursting at their seams. And, if you think about it, the shelters need the money more than the pet shops do. But, I am not saying you should stop buying your pet food and supplies from pet shops, just do not support the ones that sell live animals.”
The Record has approached the management of the West Rand Pet and Bird Farm for comment, and, as soon as it is received, an update will be done.
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