SPCA filled to capacity

THERE has been an alarming rise in the number of unwanted pets surrendered to, or picked up by, the Windhoek Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

The SPCA took in another record-breaking 1 431 dogs and 711 cats last year. In 2005, these figures stood at 966 dogs and 371 cats. Since then, the intake has risen steadily to 1 336 dogs and 601 cats in 2006, and 1 221 dogs and 501 cats in 2007.Even more alarming is the fact that the number of animals finding new homes has not gone up. Only 403 dogs and 253 were re-homed last year. Those who do not find new homes, sadly, have to be put down to make space for new arrivals, as the SPCA can only house 140 dogs and even fewer cats at a time.This maximum capacity was reached in the week before Christmas last year. With many more unwanted dogs and cats joining their ranks since then, it is regrettably clear that some animals will have to go to make space.Anybody who can offer one of these animals on ‘death row’ a loving home is requested to contact the SPCA as soon as possible.The biggest cause of this increase in unwanted or abandoned pets is uncontrolled breeding because people do not sterilise their animals.The SPCA once again pleads with pet owners to have their pets sterilised (spayed or neutered) to prevent this population explosion and the suffering associated with large numbers of unwanted, underfed and neglected animals roaming the streets.

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