Animal Welfare organisations say they anticipate an influx of stray, homeless and unwanted animals this festive period.
- Animal welfare organisations are gearing up for a
busy festive period in anticipation of thousands of stray and unwanted animals
coming through their doors. - The SPCA says it is expecting more than 2 000
animals this holiday season. - Due to the effects of Covid-19 and the lockdown,
lots of owners are unable to keep up with the maintenance of their animals.
Animal welfare organisations in Cape Town are
gearing for an influx of stray animals coming through their doors as the
festive season draws nearer.
Over the past few years, the organisations said,
they have seen a noticeable increase in the number of stray animals that were
either found wandering the streets, or have been neglected by their owners
because of festive celebrations.
Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham
told News24 that on average, it received “more than 2 000 stray animals in
December each year”.
“We had a 20% increase in stray admissions in
December last year, compared to December the previous year, we expect this to
increase again this year,” she said.
Hospital staff at animal welfare organisations are expecting an influx of stray and unwanted animals.
According to the SPCA, it was on high alert to
receive a flood of calls from people reporting lost or abused animals.
“Our inspectors will be on standby to collect
the animals should any situation arise. We are urging pet owners to please take
extra care of their pets as their festive cheer unfolds,” said Abraham.
The organisation said to carry the cost of the
anticipated new arrivals, it had set up a fundraising event to help with the
upkeep of the animals.
“The Bag a Bargain book sale is where people
can buy an SPCA bag and fill their bags with books for free. All you have to do
is choose between the two SPCA fabric shopping bag sizes, which range from R60
to R100 and fill it to the brim with enough books to keep you lost in
literature right throughout the summer,” added Abraham.
Planning for ‘big upsurge’
The funds generated will cover the costs of
veterinary treatment, shelter, and food for all the animals over the holidays.
Animal lovers can fill their bags from 7 to 12
December at the SPCA Vet Shop on the corner of Timour Hall and Gabriel roads in
Plumstead.
Meanwhile, The Animal Welfare Society of SA (AWS)
said it had started the process of employing additional staff members to deal
with the influx of stray and unwanted animals over the festive season.
Its spokesperson, Allan Perrins, said this year
could be the worst the organisation would experience.
The festive period will see a lot more stray animals being admitted to animal welfare organisations.
“We are planning on a big upsurge in the
number of strays, homeless and unwanted animals. Due to the pandemic, lots of
animal owners are not able to keep up with the maintenance of keeping their pet
and therefore surrender their furry pets to us,” he added.
AWS said the festive season was always its busiest
time of the year.
“Over the years, [the] AWS has reliably learnt
that a lot of the stray animals brought to them are family pets, but because of
families going on holiday they can’t afford to take the animal with them, so
they bring them to us claiming that it’s a stray dog,” Perrins added.
AWS said it would be on the alert for any incoming
animals and urged owners to make the necessary arrangements for their pets
before going on holiday.
“We currently have about 25 kennels vacant for
stray and homeless animal admissions and will be making more available to
accommodate any critical animal cases this festive season,” Perrins added.
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