Career guide: SPCA inspector’s love for animals

Celeste Kleyn, inspector and manager at the Springs SPCA, says no specific school subjects are needed, but science, mathematics and biology will definitely help.

It is necessary to be a qualified animal welfare assistant (Awa) before attempting the inspector course.

This position can be obtained by working at the SPCA.

It means the Awa must be able to vaccinate, deworm, give medicine and euthanase animals and write and pass the inspectors entrance exams three months after employment as a trainee inspector at the SPCA.

This course is done at the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (NSPCA) offices in Alberton.

Another two week course is necessary where a written exam is done.

She says all these exams are difficult and the theory file given to the trainee needs to be known by heart.

Although these courses are free of charge, after a second failure, a fee of R1 000 needs to be paid by the trainee to the NSPCA.

A qualified inspector needs to be available for training if necessary and attend refresher courses every five years.

“The reason I chose to become an inspector is because I love animals, am 100% dedicated and believe in what I do,” she says.

“I stand up against cruelty against animals.”

They do not enjoy a normal eight-hour working day and have to be ready for anything.

She says it is an intense job and inspectors take enormous strain andwork around the clock without any overtime remuneration.

Inspectors investigate all cruelty complaints within 24 hours and react to emergencies and rescues immediately.

An inspector needs to inspect all environments where animals are housed on a monthly basis and do pre-home and post home inspections.

A rescue Celeste will never forget was after she qualified as an inspector, she received a call about a horse that fell into a septic drain between six and eight metres deep.

She immediately realised she had to get into the drain with the horse and put the rope around him to enable her helpers to hoist him up.

“There is no time to pull up your nose.”

After about five hours they rescued the horse, but for days on end she still smelt the human faeces.

The most important aspect of the job is to familiarise yourself with the correct protocols of the SPCA by being aware and understanding the contact of the operational manual.

She says being passionate about animals teaches you so much more about the veterinary side of it.

Inspectors work hand-in-hand with the vets.

They learn to identify diseases and call for help, under the supervision of the vet.

“No two days are the same in the life of an inspector, but I love the challenges that come with it,” she concludes.