Durban - Last week the Independent on Saturday published a picture for National Dog Walking Day set in the grounds of the Kloof and Highway SPCA and featuring four of their canine stars looking for homes - with some human walkers.
Within 24 hours of publication, all four dogs - Ben, Brittany, Ava and Ashton - had found new homes.
Brigitte Ferguson, an inspector at the SPCA, said homing those animals really “lifted our spirits. It was quite something to celebrate, which we did. All those dogs had been here for a while.
“Brittany and Ben went together to a wonderful home with a nice family with kids. It’s a young and energetic home. Ava went to a home with a gentlemen who had adopted another puppy two years ago, so it was nice to have someone come back to us and to see how that puppy had matured into a loving dog,” she said.
“Ashton is going home early next week. We’re just waiting for some documentation and he, too, will be out of here. We really are grateful.”
Ferguson said while homing an animal was not part of the SPCA’s core function, which is preventing cruelty to animals, it was a key part of its work.
She credited the 24-hour turnaround to the SPCA adoption officer, Inspector Tania Ungerer, who worked “really hard to make this happen”.
“At any given time we have about 50 dogs, 25 adults and 25 puppies, in the pound looking for homes, and about 30 cats, 25 kittens and five adult cats. We encourage people to adopt an animal, which gives a chance for another animal to be rescued,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson said that with Covid-19 there had been an increase in people surrendering their pets. “They can’t afford to care for them. Some people are moving to smaller properties, some are losing jobs. We’re seeing the problems families face and a huge influx of surrendered and unwanted animals.”
The Kloof and Highway SPCA pound and clinic are open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 3pm, while the charity shops and tea garden are open Tuesday to Saturday from 8am to 3pm. The whole SPCA is open on the last Sunday of every month.
To adopt an animal, make and appointment with Ungerer at [email protected]
The Independent on Saturday