The Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWS) has noted with dismay the global surge in pet ownership since the beginning of the pandemic – which in turn has increased the number of dogs being surrendered to animal shelters.
AWS says this problem could have been created two ways – firstly because sterilisation and vaccinations were placed on hold during the hard lockdown which increased litters because animals bred uncontrollably.
And secondly because people thought it was a good idea to get a pet during lockdown to keep them, or their family, company. And now that things are starting to normalise, they don’t have the capacity or time to take care of these pets.
“Since the start of Spring we have noticed an increase in the number of puppies being surrendered as unwanted. Sadly many arrive emaciated and riddled with disease and parasites with little to no social skills. Getting them adoption ready is both time consuming and extremely costly and it can take months to find them new homes.
“Just yesterday we admitted a grossly neglected lactating bitch and 9 critically ill puppies from nearby Sweet Home Farm informal settlement, where animal cruelty and neglect is rampant.They arrived in a rusty wire crate and disused cooler box,” AWS said in a Facebook post.
Sadly all the puppies died after testing positive for Parvo Virus, they were too weak to be assisted.
“This tragic situation which is now playing itself out daily at huge emotional cost to our team can easily be prevented if the City of Cape Town enforces their newly adopted Animal Keeping By-Law that makes sterilisation of companion animals mandatory,”
They warned locals not to get involved in unregulated and uncontrolled breeding of animals which is at the heart of so many animal welfare concerns.
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