Sterilizing your animal can prevent any unwanted litters of puppies and kittens making an appearance when families can ill afford any more animals.
The local SPCA is inundated by unwanted animals, and contrary to the mass belief, those are the lucky ones. Yes, lucky as they will not be dropped on the side of the road, sold as snake food or subjected to other horrors.
Due to the COVID pandemic a lot of households have had to face serious cutbacks on the financial front. People are very mindful of keeping their expenses low and the thought of feeding more mouths as your dogs & cats have babies is a sobering one.
Normally the sterilization of a domestic animal is seen as a luxury as it is can be costly. There are animal welfare groups that assist with lower sterie charges but only the really dedicated owner will pursue sterilization in this manner. Cost being a big factor but people also don’t want to be inconvenienced. Applying for assistance with sterilization costs is sometimes very labour intensive as bank statements and other details have to be submitted.
Introducing the BALLS must FALL campaign:
50 Shades of Spay, a local spay and neuter initiative, has put together a special rate on neutering or castrating all male cats and dogs. On the fb page of 50 Shades of Spay we offered a neutering at R400 per male dog or cat for the month of 25 February to 26 March 2021.
This once off offer was for MALE dogs and cats only and aimed at assisting the community but also trying to curb the birth of unwanted animals.
A total of 220 slots were opened for bookings and within days all the slots were filled. The reduced rate was made available by Klipriver Vet and the fact that the community recycle their unwanted glass in aid of 50 Shades of Spay.
The monies raised by the recycling is paid directly into the vet account. This initiative has been running since August 2018 and raised R42 266,80 for 98 tons of glass recycled. It is really a fantastic feeling to know that members of our community really want to make a difference in their pet’s life and that people take the recycling of glass so seriously.
Why do we advocate sterilization:
• It keeps unwanted litters at bay. Unwanted means unloved and no hope for kindness and compassion. Unwanted proliferates cruelty and abandonment.
• Dogs and cats stop roaming. They become home bodies, couch potatoes and they don’t have the need to break out and break free.
• In some cases the marking of territory becomes a little “last season”. Dogs and cats don’t really feel the need to make a statement by peeing on everything, they keep their messages to themselves.
• Testicular and ovarian cancer becomes less of an threat.
• Sterilization tempers aggression and advocates love. Please continue to recycle your household glass at the bin provided behind River Square Shopping Centre in 3 Rivers, Vereeniging. For more information on discounted rates for spaying and neutering your pet please keep an eye on the fb page of 50 Shades of Spay.
We beg for those that cannot speak. Dogs and cats rely on their owners to be responsible in looking after them. Please do not abandon or give away your unwanted animals. The SPCA will never turn an animal away. If you don’t want them they might find a home through the responsible rehoming program at the local SPCA. Every animal is sterilized/neutered before it goes to the new home. Spaying and neutering save lives. 50 Shades of Spay supports the SPCA Vereeniging & Vanderbijlpark.
