‘A Spay A Day’

The SPCA has launched a new campaign, ‘A Spay A Day’, in the hope of reducing the number of unwanted cats and dogs in Windhoek.

Funded by donations from the public, the plan is to spay one animal each day for the rest of the year.

‘A Spay A Day’ is aimed at pet owners who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to spay the animals themselves, which can be costly for some.

Spaying a cat or dog is reserved for females, unlike neutering. The process involves removing the uterus to prevent the animal from having unwanted offspring.

In addition to population control, there are plenty of health benefits for the animals, like being able to live a longer and healthier life, your pet won’t go into heat, and it also prevents your pet from getting uterine cancer, which can prove fatal for many pets.

But a negative impact is that cats and dogs are over breeding.

Without having enough quality homes to house them in, they get dumped at the SPCA, which becomes overwhelmed by the high number of unwanted pets, and due to limited space and resources, some animals do get euthanised. With so many ‘pets at large’, Windhoekers are spoilt for choice when it comes to having a new furry friend as an addition to their family.

Unwanted pets in Windhoek mostly end up at the SPCA. The organisation currently receives an average of 240 dogs and 100 cats a month which are brought in as strays, lost or unwanted pets. Of these, they only manage to rehome 35 dogs and 25 cats a month and reunite 30 dogs and 10 cats with their owners.

Being a non-profit organisation, the SPCA survives on donations from the public, both financially and by volunteering their time by helping take care of the animals.

The SPCA management urged the public to take better care of their animals, and recognise that having a pet is not a right. It also comes with responsibilities.

Pets are not just ‘throwaway presents’ but can be lifelong companions and bring joy, comfort and companionshi to young and old.

They thrive in the right environment and the security of a ‘forever home’.

If you would like to donate, volunteer or find out more information about getting your animal spayed through ‘A Spay A Day’ campaign, please contact them on 061 23 86 54 or go to their website www.spcawindhoek.org.na for more details.

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