The SPCA in Roodepoort is asking for community support

The SPCA, like many other rescue organisations, is concerned with the welfare of all animals.

They require the community’s help to accomplish their goals. The SPCA’s Mandi Cattanach explained there have been many difficulties that this organisation had to overcome, whether it was false accusations made against them or false promises made to them.

Cattanach explained they have been saving up for years to have their kennels refurbished and they were finally able to hire a construction company to do their work, yet they were ripped off.

“They slapped paint over the rust, they have had to repaint the walls three times because when you wash a wall it goes right through,” she said.

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They are now trying to fix the kennels themselves with what little money they have. The same thing happened with the floor cracks that were supposed to be repaired. She says that when she waters it down, whatever she put in it just comes out again, which means the urine and faeces from the dogs go into the cracks and the kennels can’t be completely sanitised.

This leaves them with fewer kennels to place dogs in, which is already a concern for them as they do not have enough kennels as is for all the animals that are being abandoned or treated badly. She explained that they can get up to 50 dogs a day in need of help and without the proper funding or space, how are they supposed to care for them? She adds they can rehome approximately seven dogs a month.

This is all besides the fact that they get bashed on Facebook for euthanising animals without giving them a proper chance at adoption, however, Cattanach explained that very few people realise the effects of kennel stress on an animal.

“The dogs would hurt themselves due to this,” she said and questioned whether the community has ever experienced this and asked what she is supposed to do, as she can’t leave an animal in that state. She explains the dogs regularly go for walks, however, they have experienced abuse for so long and this is an extension of that.

“We do the best that we can, eventually we have to say enough is enough, this animal has suffered enough, and we have to decide to euthanise them. They were on our Facebook page to be adopted, yet not one single person was interested. If a single person was interested they would have been adopted but nobody showed any interest,” she said.

Cattanach added they have a volunteer who shares updates on their Facebook page on animals available for adoption and those that have already been adopted, this means they cannot always update the community on every animal that has been rehomed, rather people should take the time to phone the SPCA or go to see them to find out how the animals are doing.

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If you want to help this organisation, they desperately need assistance to help them fix the kennels.

Any food for the animals especially chicken they can cook and freeze for the sick animals, tin food for dogs and cats, and toys, especially cat toys will also be highly appreciated.

She adds toys help the animals with kennel stress, even though it doesn’t completely prevent it. They further also need stationery and cleaning supplies, especially Domestos, dishwashing liquid, mops and brooms.

The Roodepoort SPCA can be contacted on 011 672 0448.