It was a happy day for a few dozen dogs and cats when they were returned to their owners on Friday, 18 October 2019.
They were the latest batch of pets from the Wallacedene/Bloekombos area to head home after being sterilised, free of charge, courtesy of a well-established memorandum of agreement between the City of Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
Since 2013, the City has co-funded the mass sterilisation campaign through a grant-in-aid allocation to the SPCA who then partners with other members of the Cape Animal Welfare Forum, which has benefited thousands of pets in Dunoon, Brown’s Farm, Khayelitsha, Wesbank, Atlantis and now in Wallacedene and Bloekombos.
By the end of November 2019, the Animal Anti Cruelty League, Animal Rescue Organisation, Animal Welfare Society, Enviro Vet and the Cape of Good Hope SPCA aim to spay and neuter 1 500 dogs and cats. As at Wednesday 16 October, the total animals sterilised stood at 692.
‘Every pet deserves a happy, healthy life and that’s one of the reasons the City became involved with this initiative. The other reason is that healthy animals help ensure healthy environments and communities, which in turn eases the load for City Health; that is why we have returned to the project year after year since inception,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Representatives from the various organisations have been surveying pet owners in the Wallacedene area, raising awareness about the importance of animal sterilisation and the available services.
The SPCA’s Education Unit also does work in the local schools around responsible pet ownership.
Animals who are signed up for the project are transported to the various clinics of the organisations involved, have their procedure done, and head home a day or two later. They also receive a rabies vaccination supplied by the Western Cape Government’s Department of Agriculture.
‘Our animal welfare partners do amazing work and need to be commended for their dedication and commitment. To the pet owners who have made use of the opportunities presented through this project, I say thank you for prioritising your four-legged friend’s welfare, and the well-being of your community. Responsible pet ownership is a big responsibility, and sterilisation is crucial, and so are regular vaccinations and check-ups to ensure that any problems are contained quickly, and to avoid transmission to your household or community,’ added Councillor Badroodien.