DURBAN - The Lower South Coast and Kloof and Highway SPCA branches have appealed to pet owners to care for their pets and for residents to be considerate and mindful when letting off fireworks to usher in 2022.
They also called on police and protection services to enforce the law relating to fireworks.
The Lower South Coast SPCA (LSC SPCA) said: “We appeal to the public to assist us during New Year's Eve as it was made ‘clear that the SPCA is alone’ in the fight against fireworks.
“Please note that we can only respond to animal-related emergencies, not fireworks,” it said.
LSC SPCA appealed to the public to assist them with the following:
- Have a recent photo of your pet handy, should we need to find it, we will ask security companies to assist and circulate the photo through their channels. Come in on January 1, 2022, to make sure your pet is not there. Please remember proof of ownership, vaccination booklet and money, if your dog is not microchipped or vaccinated.
- If you see a stray pet, please keep the pet in your garage or somewhere safe and send us a photo as well. Please bring in the pet the following morning.
- Take care of your own pets, and if you know your pet is scared, please get a sedative from your local vet.
- Keep your pets in your house.
- Play music to calm them down.
- Wrap them in blankets if needed.
LSC SPCA said it will be open on January 1, from 9am to 12pm for the collection of lost pets or for bringing in stray animals.
Chairperson Scott Kvalsvig, vice chairperson Carla Steenkamp and operations supervisor Mike Davis will be available throughout New Year's Eve, as well as its inspectorate.
SPCA 24-hour emergency number - 083 222 6355
Scott Kvalsvig - 082 369 3733
Carla Steenkamp - 060 502 0421
Mike Davis - 060 502 0427
The Kloof and Highway SPCA appealed to the community to prepare and take steps to protect their pets.
“The loud bangs which very often accompany fireworks cause animals great distress, fear and suffering as their hearing is far more acute than ours. Some animals cause injury to themselves by jumping through glass windows, over spiked fences or by running into traffic, as examples,” Kloof and Highway SPCA said.
It said stray and lost animals can be brought to the Kloof and Highway SPCA standby kennels 24-hours a day.
For any lost pets, contact reception on 031 764 1212 from 8am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 12pm on Saturday.
For any animals in distress, animal welfare concerns, animal cruelty complaints or unwanted animals, please contact the Kloof and Highway SPCA Inspectorate during office hours on 031 764 1212, e-mail: [email protected] or for after-hours emergencies on 073 335 9322.
Daily News