CARING FOR YOUR PETS A BETTER LIFE FOR ANIMALS

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is known as the SPCA. The Tshwane SPCA started a project called the Better Life Campaign to show people who have no access to animal clinics how to care, love and look after their pets.

The SPCA is responsible for protecting and caring for abandoned animals, preventing cruelty to animals and spreading awareness of animal care.
In many rural communities where people do not have access to animal clinics, there is a problem of over-population of pets, stray animals, abuse and disease.

Communities

The Better Life Campaign, carried out by the Tshwane branch of the SPCA is a huge success in rural communities.

In many of the communities, the animals, especially dogs had become dangerous and aggressive. This is found in communities that do not have access to animal clinics, and do not know how to take proper care of their animals. The campaign also tackles problems of over-population of pets in rural communities.

The programme focuses on the health and welfare of animals, as petwell as the education and protection of the community. It promotes sterilization and prevention of diseases through, vaccination and parasite control.

Sterilize

As part of the campaign, the Tshwane SPCA officials visited many rural areas. They found that most owners could not afford proper food or health care for their pets and that most of the animals were not sterilized.
Thanks to the campaign, animals were sterilized, food was provided pet owners learned how to care for, bath and feed their animals.

Mobile clinic

The SPCA's mobile clinic treated more than a 1 000 animals during the campaign. In some areas where there were too many dogs and no one to look after them, the SPCA took them in.
The Tshwane SPCA also started a Pitbull Pals Club to encourage children to become involved in dog care and training. The club has since been opened to all breeds of dogs.

Farm animals

In communities where farm animals and livestock were being kept, the SPCA officials taught animal owners how to care for these animals and the importance of keeping them healthy and free of disease.
Donkey owners were taught how to harness their animals to prevent them from being injured while working.

- Samona Murugan