WHY ARENT THE SPCA DOGS & CATS FREE TO A GOOD HOME? The SPCA seem to be asked this question ALOT! So, please allow us to explain. All pets adopted from the SPCA have to be sterilised (if they are 6 months or older). If younger than 6 months, they need to be taken to a vet when old enough to be sterilised. We unfortunately do not have our own vet, so we need to pay private vets to conduct the sterilization on our behalf at a discounted welfare rate. If you were to go to your local vet in your private capacity for a sterilization, the costs would be +-R1500 for a female dog and +-R1200 for a male dog - that is IF there are no complications and the animal is healthy. If the animal has an underlying illness - billiary, parvo, distemper etc, these costs will be added on TOP of the sterilization fee. At the SPCA we only adopt out healthy cats and dogs. The SPCA does not get one cent off the adoption fee to attempt to cover our costs for the particular animal - food, water, vet care, staff costs, electricity, petrol etc. 100% of the adoption fee goes to the vet conducting the sterilization. Then the NEXT question you might ask is WHY do animals need to be sterilised? Well, if all animals were sterilised then animal shelters wouldnt be filled to the brim with unwanted animals. People who support backyard breeders etc only encourage the cycle of welfare by contributing to an ever increasing problem - more animals than there are homes to go. Also, if you cannot afford the adoption fee, you will very likely struggle to be able to provide the necessary vet care for the animal for their yearly innoculations, a regular flea and tick control regime, regular deworming and if your pet becomes truly ill - lengthly stays at the vet and drips etc. One of the conditions of a SPCA Adoption is that you are able to independently provide for your new pet ie for all his food and healthcare needs. If you cat or dog has just ONE litter of puppies or kittens and you advertise them as free to a good home, please understand that there is a 99% chance that they will NEVER see the inside of a vet or get sterilized and EACH puppy and kitten will in turn have MANY MANY litters of their own and most will end up as unwanted in our shelter anyways. TOGETHER WE ARE TRYING TO BREAK A CYCLE THAT INUNDATES SHELTERS WITH UNWANTED ANIMALS. It is very important that people understand that you are ADOPTING your pet from the SPCA and not BUYING the pet. ALL adoption monies go towards the sterilisation of the animal. The SPCA do NOT profit by the animal being adopted. Please do not contribute to the problem, be part of the solution. Have your own cat or dog sterilised as soon as they are 6 months old and always ADOPT instead of SHOPPING or FREE TO A GOOD HOME. Its actually CHEAPER to adopt from the SPCA than it is to get a FREE animal in the long run!
Posted on: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 10:20:08 +0000