EDITOR – An open letter to all animal lovers.
I am an animal lover myself and although I call myself this, I have realised over the years that being an animal lover means far more than I could ever imagine.
It is not just having fun with your pet, feeding them and making sure they are kept safe – it involves much more than that. Having been a volunteer at an animal shelter and associating with animal recuers, I have learnt a lot and I would like to pass on this information to you.
1) It is very important to vaccinate your pet. There are airborne illnesses among dogs, like parvo and distemper which can lead to a quick and painful death in three to four days. To try and save an animal from this illness costs a fortune (starting at around R4,000). These can be prevented by vaccinating your pet. Illnesses passed on through fighting and breeding cats like feline leukeamia, feline AIDS and pan leukopenia can be prevented by vaccinating your kitten or cat. Cats and dogs need three lots of vaccinations for the first time starting at eight-weeks-old, one each month which they get no matter how old they are the first time. After that it is once an year. It is good to have your pet dewormed once every three months and to buy a good flea treatment at your vet or SPCA.
2) If a dog that isn’t up to date on its rabies shots bites someone, the owner can be fined R10,000 or serve a five year jail sentence.
3) Animals cannot be boarded at any facility without a history of their vaccinations nor can puppies attend training school without this.
4) It is a good idea to take your dog to training to learn obedience and socialising skills. Training your dog just to be a guard dog will cause you problems in the future.
5) It is very important to sterilise your animal. This prevents certain cancers. Overbreeding your dog can cause TVT a, deadly cancer. Having more than three litters with your animals is considered animal abuse. Kittens are sterilised at six months and dogs at about eight months. If you cannot afford vet fees, try contacting your local shelter to see if they can assist. Places like Animal Anti Cruelty in Hammarsdale have great assistance options. Do not abuse these systems as this can affect everyone. Some shelters by law can only assist those who fall under a certain criteria otherwise they will be shut down. Unneutered males will tend to fight more, wander more and be slightly more aggressive.
6) Do not give your pets away for free. They may end up in at a puppy mill, as food for predators like pet snakes, bait for dog fighting or being killed for human consumption.
7) If you are emigrating, check if the quarantine regulations have changed for the contry you are going to. England no longer has quarantine periods but blood tests are needed at vets before immigrating.
8) If you are moving and need a temporary place for your pets to board, there are boarding facilities at local SPCAs and privately owned kennels are an option. Giving away your pet to a shelter should be your last option as both pro life and kill shelters are overcrowded and underfunded.
9) Note not all SPCAs have vets. SPCA Amanzimtoti does not have one. They use private vets. Larger SPCAs like Kloof and Durban have vets. SPCAs can only assist people that fall under a certain criteria, otherwise vets complain and the organisation’s national council has no choice but to shut down that branch of the SPCA.
10) When adopting an animal make sure it is the right fit for your family. Make sure the animal fits your lifestyle and isn’t for example too energetic for you or too demanding. Cross breeds are generally more hardy and durable pets. The more intelligent an animal, the more training it needs. Adopting is better than shopping as these animals often have a time limit on their life. When adopting an animal you ensure its vaccinations are up to date, it is sterilised and has a good temperament.
11) It is very important to microchip your pet. A collar can easily get lost. A microchip is embedded under the skin and can be scanned at any shelter or vet to acquire your details. Ask your local vet or shelter about this and the cost.
12) When getting a pet such as a cat or dog, know that it is a 10 to 15 year commitment. Some birds even live to 60 years. Ensure your house is pet friendly, fully fenced, have shelter for your pet and teach your dog where the shallow end of the pool is.
13) If you are having behavioural problems with your pet, it could relate to anything from excessive energy, a change in the environment or even a health problem. Try understanding your pet before giving them away because you can’t handle them.
14) Keep your dogs inside your yard at all times. You may feel they know how to handle traffic or know their way home but this does not help when a speeding car comes or a vicious stray dog which may carry rabies comes along or someone intent on stealing your dog.
15) The SPCA stands for the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. They therefore deal with cruelty issues mainly and injured dogs or cats on the roads according to their designated areas.
See below for other departments to contact for other needs:
- Metro for dogs on the road and excessive barking
- Metro for cows on the road
- Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) for injured wildlife
- Dead animals on the side of the road are attended to by Durban Waste
16) If you see cases of cruelty, call your local SPCA, provide the physical address, details of the abuse and the animals involved. Try get pictures as well without endangering yourself. SPCA will always keep your name anonymous. AAlso report syndicates such as dog fighter and rooster fighting.
17) Bath dogs and cats with only the shampoos prescribed to them by vets or use commercial brands.
18) If your pet goes missing, report it to your local SPCA and local vets as soon as possible. If you have found an animal and are going to keep it until the owners are found, also notify the SPCA and local vets. Check it for a microchip at a local vet or SPCA. Do not keep a pet without notifying someone as it could be someone’s missing, beloved pet. You also do not know their history, medical conditions, personalities and behavioural disposition.
19) Remember that it is illegal to tie up a dog.
20) Euthanasia is not the only solution for problem animals such as a feral cats. Once feral cats are removed from an area completely, residents tend to find themselves overrun with rodents. Often a new group of cats will take over the area and grow in numbers again. Consider getting involved in Trap Neuter Release programmes with your local vet or shelter.
21) If you find a wild, injured bird or a youngster, take it to CROW as not all birds can be fed cereal.
22) Please don’t separate a mom and her puppies/kittens before 6 – 8 weeks as they need their moms nutrients for the milk, her protection and they are still learning life skills from her. They are to young to be alone before that.
You can help at your local shelter by donating goods such as unwanted goods to sell, food, bedding or toys but you can also donate your time and profession. If you are an electrician, plumber or painter for example, you can phone a local shelter and offer them your help. If you have a business, you can donate vouchers to a shelter which they can use as prizes for raffles or thank you gifts for their sponsors.
Your pet is a member of your family, treat them as such. Pass this information on to a friend, colleague or worker. Through education we can all help each other. Don’t underestimate the power of your time. Last but not least, volunteer at a shelter before you criticise or judge.
CONCERNED ANIMAL LOVER
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