The dos and don’ts of animal welfare

There is no denying that pets become valued members of the family.

The unconditional love and affection they provide us with is indescribable.

ALSO READ: Plants to avoid if you have pets or small children

The SPCA enforces the protection of animals and deals with animal cruelty.

According to Empangeni and Richards Bay SPCAs, there are certain things to consider before adopting a pet:

1. Ensure you are financially stable to be able to appropriately look after your dog or cat.

2. Make sure your yard is adequately fenced and that you have a gate in good working condition to prevent an escape.

3. The animal needs to be provided with proper shelter against all weather conditions.

4. The animal must be taken to the vet when it is sick or injured.

5. Sterilising the animal is advisable, to eliminate breeding – and no animal can be adopted from the SPCA without having been sterilised.

6. The dog or cat must be vaccinated to prevent diseases, including rabies. Rabies vaccinations are a legal requirement for all pets.

7. The animal will have to be licenced, which is done on an annual basis with the rabies vaccination.

8. Make time for your animal and socialise it well with people and other pets.

The public is encouraged to report animal cruelty and injured stray animals to their local SPCA.

Contact Empangeni SPCA on 071 1744746 or Richards Bay SPCA on 035 7532086.

Municipal by-laws must be adhered to regarding pet ownership. Nuisance inspectors enforce these by-laws regarding aggressive or stray animals.

Animal licences must be up to date for dogs and cats; if not, owners can be fined by municipal inspectors.

Owners can also be fined for aggressive and nuisance animals; nuisance inspectors have the authority to remove such animals from the property.

To report nuisance complaints, contact the City of uMhlathuze on 035 9075000.

HAVE YOUR SAY