One of the most rewarding
results that the SPCA can achieve is to find a loving home
for a pet. The SPCA in addition to collecting stray
animals for safekeeping are often given lovely pets for
good reasons. These may include people retiring into
retirement homes where pets are not allowed, emigrating
overseas or sadly sometimes the death of the pets owner. A
"donated" pet is put up for adoption immediately
while stray animals are kept for 7 days in order to try
and trace the owner. If not successful, they are then put
up for adoption. Only animals that are suitable for
adoption are put up for adoption after careful screening
and observation.
How to adopt a pet from the
SPCA
The SPCA will only allow an
adoption where it is sure the animal will be safe, happy
and well cared for. In order to adopt a pet from the SPCA
you must have a loving home, suitably fenced to keep the
pet on the property and suitable to accommodate the animal’s
natural needs and requirements. E.g. a Border Collie, who
needs lots of stimulation and exercise can not be kept in
a small property where the new owners have little time or
space to exercise the dog.
Pets may be selected for
adoption from the SPCA premises after which a formal
Application Form must be completed and payment made.
Current fees for dogs are R170.00 and for cats R85.00. A
SPCA Inspector will then do a home inspection to approve
the property as being suitable for the particular animal
for which application has been made.
If the Application is
approved, the chosen animal will then be Vaccinated,
De-wormed and Sterilized. As it is an Act of Parliament,
the SPCA will not adopt an animal out unless it is sterilized
prior to adoption. In the case of small animals that are
still too young to be sterilized, the contract will state
that the animal must return for sterilization at an
appointed later date.
Adoption Fee
The adoption fee payable is
not for the animal but for the Veterinary costs of
vaccinations, de-worming and sterilization and is in fact
very reasonable. As it is an adoption and not a purchase
of the animal, the animal remains under legal control of
the SPCA for life. It may never be sold or given away for
whatever reason but should be returned to the SPCA for
re-adoption should it not be possible to keep the animal
for whatever reason.
