The five freedoms, sometimes known as Brambell’s five freedoms, are a compact of rights for animals under human control, including those intended for food or which act as working animals. The five freedoms were originally developed from a UK Government report on livestock husbandry in 1965. The five freedoms are used as the basis for the actions of professional groups, including veterinarians and have been adopted by representative groups internationally including the World Organisation for Animal Health and National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
- Freedom from hunger or thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigor.
- Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
- Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
- Freedom to express (most) normal behavior by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind.
- Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
When it comes to Christmas please think twice about adopting an animal for someone as a present. Animal shelters are filled beyond capacity with homeless animals, many of whom were former “pets” who, for one reason or another, didn’t fit into someone’s lifestyle. No matter how much we would like to get them adopted, many people who receive animals as gifts find that they are unable to make the lifelong commitment to care for their new companion.
Sadly, many people end up turning animals they received as gifts over to an overburdened humane society or animal-control agency that is likely filled to capacity. In worst-case scenarios, some people even abandon animals on the road or in the back yard when they move away.
Also if you are planning to go away for Christmas please find somewhere to board your pet somewhere safe as this is one of the main reason the SPCA is inundated with strays that have managed to get out due to bad supervision or due to fear of fireworks. SPCA do have boarding vacillates but at the moment we are already fully booked over the Christmas week for dogs. We still have some limited space in our cattery for cats over the Christmas week. We do have some limited space still available for dogs over the festive season so please call us on 031 904 2424/5 or email us on info@spcatoti.co.za for more information.
Please also remember us when you are spring cleaning as we have a charity shop on the premises here at 1 Nyati Road, Athlone Park which brings us in much needed funds. For assistance in this matter please call us on 031 904 2424/5 or email us on pro@spcatoti.co.za.
