Pets targeted by poachers
Poachers are now setting traps in residential areas.
THE new manager of the Lower South Coast SPCA, Michael Muller, is on a mission to remove deadly snares, which are increasingly becoming more life-threatening to pets and wildlife on the coast.
The newly appointed manager, who has 23 years of management experience under his belt, is a man of action with a deep passion for the well-being of animals.
“I want to make a difference and I have many visions, projects and goals I plan to accomplish,” he said.
Two community involvement projects that are close to his heart are the snare removal and feral cat projects.
With the SPCA being inundated with pets and wildlife caught in traps, Mr Muller is encouraging the community to get involved in the snare removal project.
Mr Muller said they are also finding more and more pets being caught in snares in residential areas.
Most recently, SPCA staff had to euthanise a horrifically injured cat which had been caught in a snare in the Izotsha area. “The cat’s teeth were broken from trying to chew through the snare’s wire,” said Mr Muller.
Another cat, which was recently brought into the SPCA, had to have its back leg amputated after it was caught in a residential area in Port Edward.
Inspector Collin Chetty explained that there have been cases where poachers will stab a dog if they find it caught in their snares, which are set to catch buck or bush pigs.
Those interested in helping to remove snares from farms, vacant lots or residential areas are welcome to attend the first meeting to be held on Saturday, November 16 at the SPCA premises in Uvongo. Volunteers will be briefed on identifying and removing snares.
The feral cat project will involve bringing together groups or individuals who look after different cat colonies along the coast.
“The SPCA will be a vessel to co-ordinate and facilitate assistance to these people who are taking care of these cats,” said Mr Muller. “There is strength in numbers and we are encouraging everyone to unite so we can work together on this project,” he added.
Mr Muller said they also plan to have signboards erected to inform the public that the feral cat groups are being cared for.
The boards will also have contact numbers on them, in case of an emergency.
“If a cat colony is removed from an area, another one will take its place,” he said.
All volunteers who are interested in getting involved in the projects are asked to contact the LSC SPCA at 039 3173362, sms or whatsapp at 083 2226354 or phone 083 2226355.
