SPCA charges creep into dog walkers’ hearts
I got more involved and I realised I was making a difference.
A labour of love.
That’s how dog walkers at Amanzimtoti SPCA describe their voluntary duties.
John Maritz, who has been walking dogs put up for adoption at the SPCA every day for four to five years, is joined by two or three other walkers on a Wednesday, and up to six on a Saturday.
“We are only allowed to walk the dogs in the adoption block,” he said. “They spend their lives in the kennels, which we feel very bad about. That is why we come down to the SPCA on a regular basis to take them out for a quick walk to stretch their legs.”
The number of dogs in the adoption block number between 20 and 25 at any given time. They could be confiscated dogs that have been ill-treated or diseased.
They first go into the holding kennels where nobody is allowed to touch them, before graduating to the adoption block if they are deemed to be adoptable.
During the day John will move them from their concrete ‘cells’ to the ‘runs’ (kennels with some grass and sand) for them to socialise with other dogs and visitors.
Eighty percent of the dogs are adopted.
Laura Konig has been a walker for three years. “I came to adopt a dog, which was hard for me as I always thought of this as a sad place,” she said.
“I asked if I could walk a dog and when I did, I realised this is actually a happy place.
Instead of turning my back on it, I got more involved and I realised I was making a difference.
Once you start, there is no stopping. Your role becomes helping to get these dogs adopted.”
Laura can spend up to four hours at the SPCA three days a week but for a member of the public who is keen to lend a hand, it can be as little as 15 minutes a week.
“You can walk one dog in the morning and go home or to work. It doesn’t have to take much time out of your day and it really is worth it,” she said.
Close to the SPCA is an awesome bush trail that the walkers use, much to the delight of the dogs.
Stacey Wall said she started dog walking at the SPCA because she had received a bursary for university, and needed to do community service to maintain it.
“I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
Every week I found myself looking forward to Saturday morning dog walking. It quickly became the highlight of my week, and it still is.
I absolutely love it, and I know I will probably do it for the rest of my life.
My eyes have been opened to the world that animal rescue organisations, such as the SPCA, have to live in every day. It’s a cruel world, and it’s heartbreaking, but with every walk you can see these dogs beginning to remember what it means to be happy.
With every kind word to them, you see them learn to trust humans again – it’s so rewarding.
I encourage anyone who is considering getting involved with the SPCA dog walking to do it – it will be one of the best decisions you will ever make,” promised Stacey.
“The more walkers there are, the better the chances of getting these dogs adopted,” said John.
“Pensioners are also welcome to come help. If they cannot walk a dog, they are welcome to sit in a run and socialise with the dogs as they are desperate for human company.”
