Sandton SPCA and Craighall Veterinary Hospital work together to create a positive impact from a tragedy

The Sandton SPCA and the Craighall Veterinary Hospital worked together to build a new set of semi-quarantine kennels to create something positive out of a tragic story.

A brown crossbreed dog called Lacey inspired the project when she was brought into the Craighall Veterinary Hospital as a stray at the beginning of last year. She was petrified, neglected and had numerous medical issues which were treated by the vet.

Staff at the veterinary hospital fell in love with Lacey and were heartbroken when no one came forward to fetch her. In terms of the by-laws of the City of Johannesburg, it is a legal requirement that all stray animals have to be taken to the animal pound and Lacey was collected by the Sandton SPCA.

Sadly, Lacey developed kennel cough during the pound period at the SPCA and had to be euthanised. According to Lindiwe Mkhondwane, the acting general manager at the SPCA, kennel cough is generally a minor and very easily treatable disease, however, it is a disaster in kennels with hundreds of dogs. Kennel cough is highly contagious and spreads like wildfire.

“It would have been highly irresponsible of the SPCA to keep an animal with a contagious disease among other healthy animals. The sad reality is that without quarantine facilities, the only other alternative is euthanasia to avoid spreading the contagious diseases,” said Mkhondwane.

Impacted by Lacey’s death, the Craighall Veterinary Hospital decided to help raise funds for a new set of kennels to be built where animals with contagious diseases could be kept separately.

“We are very happy to announce that the Lacey Project kennels were a success and that the semi-quarantine kennels are now open for use,” said Mkhondwane.

Hermione Bowring, the practice manager at the Craighall Veterinary Hospital said,

“We decided to try to make something positive out of it and raise funds to build a quarantine area for the SPCA so that in future they won’t have to euthanise another Lacey.”

Staff at the vet made cardboard bricks and stuck them on the walls throughout the hospital and ‘sold’ each brick for R100. Those that purchased a brick were then able to write their name on the brick to show their support for the Lacey Project.

The Sandton SPCA expressed its gratitude to the Craighall Veterinary Clinic for their assistance and to all those who helped contribute to the project.

Details: Sandton SPCA 011 444 7730.

Share your thoughts on the Lacey Project on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page

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