Toti SPCA shines the light on Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
The awareness month, commemorated in April, recognises the need for animal care and protection.
IN LIGHT of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, the Amanzimtoti SPCA discusses its main function, reporting animal cruelty and how people can help their local SPCAs.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (SPCA) main function is to monitor the welfare of all animals, to make sure there are no acts of cruelty taking place.
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Amanzimtoti SPCA’s Michelle Hannan said their trained inspectors, who are well-versed in animal law, are responsible for the monitoring of animal abuse. This abuse includes chaining or tying up animals, neglecting their health, not providing veterinary treatment when needed and physical or verbal abuse.
“When investigating a cruelty complaint, the person who reports the matter will remain anonymous. No information that is given to us is ever made public but kept solely for our purpose. We only need the exact physical address, and if you can get photos or videos without risk to themselves, this always helps,” said Hannan.
April recognises the need for animal care and protection. Hannan said that with so much cruelty out there, whether intentional harm, neglect or ignorance, people need to remember to commemorate this month.
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“We need to think about how we treat our fellow four-legged creatures. It’s our responsibility to speak about the injustices we see for those who do not have a voice. Humans are capable of great destruction, but we are also capable of great good. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month is about recognising our potential for both and doing something proactive,” she said.
Hannan said that ways in which you can help your local SPCA, include reporting animal cruelty; becoming informed about how to treat animals with love, care and respect; helping fund the SPCA by donating food, money and second-hand items to sell at its charity shops; becoming an advocate for animal rights, sharing its educational posts on social media, and donating towards Edu Paw, its education programme for the less privileged.
For more information, or to report animal cruelty, contact the Toti SPCA on 031 904 2424 during office hours or email reception@spcatoti.co.za.
Alternatively, donations can be made at the following banking details: Amanzimtoti SPCA, First National Bank, Galleria Branch code: 220127, Account number: 62807184552, Reference: Donation/Edu Paw and your surname.
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