GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Each year, thousands of pets are left at rescue centres in the area. Many of these are surrendered by families who can't access pet-friendly housing or veterinary care, while others have been victims of cruelty.
While some find the idea of buying a purebred dog or cat from a registered breeder appealing, others find it more rewarding to adopt a pet.
Established on 15 September 2000, the Garden Route Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GRSPCA) was formed when the George and Mossel Bay branches joined forces to combat animal cruelty.
A registered non-profit organisation, the society relies on the financial support of concerned individuals and corporates to sustain its operational needs.
Animal shelters and rescues like the GRSPCA are brimming with happy, healthy pets just waiting for someone to adopt them. However, SPCAs are very careful about the homes their animals go to.
Criteria for adoption are stringent, but they are in the interest of the animal. Here are some frequently asked questions when adopting a pet from the SPCA.
Reason for payment
Any responsible person would ensure that their animal is identified, dewormed, vaccinated and sterilised. However, there are real costs involved which can be very high at prevailing retail rates.
The SPCA does not receive any income, grant or financial support from government and has to cover its own costs when sterilising, vaccinating or treating a pet.
SPCAs will always charge the full adoption fee. This is a principle to ensure that the value or worth of the animal is appreciated, as well as to cover costs incurred.
Adoption fee
Adoption fees vary depending on whether the SPCA in question has an in-house veterinarian or whether the services of a private veterinarian in the area are used. The GRSPCA has a veterinarian on site. There are other variables, for example, whether microchip identification or a collar and tag system is used.
Current adoptions fees at the GRSPCA are R750 per cat or dog. All SPCA adoptions include sterilisation. This is mandatory and non-negotiable.
What it covers
The adoption fee covers the cost of necessary procedures including vaccinations, sterilisation, dipping against ticks and fleas, plus identification. Avoiding any of these procedures is irresponsible. These costs are essential to the well-being of the animal.
If prices charged by back-yard breeders who sell animals through pet shops, social media, at markets or through classified advertisements are considered in this context, it becomes clear what good value is offered by SPCAs.
No discount
A caring person with a heart for animals would appreciate that the money would be well spent by the SPCA on the next pet to be sterilised, cared for or rescued.
When a lost/stray/runaway animal is taken into the care of an SPCA and reclaimed by its owner, the pound fee does relate to the length of time the animal has been at the SPCA.
This fee is prescribed by the local municipality.
Home checks
It is a legal requirement for an SPCA to carry out a home inspection before an animal is permitted to go to a new home. This is not red tape but an essential procedure to ensure that the home is adequately gated or fenced – and to check out the future facilities for the animal. Issues taken into consideration before an animal can be adopted include matters relating to any other animals on the property, the ages of any children plus the new owner's ability and willingness to give the animal the time and attention it will require.
The officially adopted Statement of Policy of the SPCA movement is to discourage the keeping of domestic animals by those who do not have the facilities, time, financial means or level of interest necessary to ensure a satisfactory standard of care and husbandry for their pets.
Follow-up inspections
Follow-up inspections are legally required to ensure that the adopted animal remains with the adopter and in good care. A home inspection is again undertaken after the animal has been adopted and annually thereafter.
Out of town adoptions
No animal may leave the constituted area of operation of an SPCA without being sterilised first and any application to adopt may be declined on welfare grounds.
Given that SPCA adoptions have to fulfil legal requirements of pre- and post-home checks, this is extremely difficult if someone applies to adopt from an area where there is no SPCA or other welfare organisation.
Persons wishing to adopt from the SPCA must first meet the animal in person and complete the required application form before a home inspection is conducted.
The animal can only go to its new home if the home is approved, the animal sterilised and the adoption contract signed.
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