12 minute read
WHO ARE YOU ADOPTING FROM?
aDOPTiON
Adoption is a fantastic option when you’re looking for a new pet to join your family. With wonderful animals available from excellent organisations which offer affordable fees and great benefits, your choices are almost endless. But how do you know if the organisation you’re thinking of adopting from is everything that they say they are?
RuLES FOR RESCuES?
There are hundreds of animal welfare organisations (AWO’s) throughout South Africa, working extremely hard to help animals in need. Because there’s a powerful emotional aspect surrounding animal welfare, many people blindly trust anyone claiming to help animals, never thinking to dig deeper. Unfortunately, while most organisations really do sterling work, there will always be bad apples doing whatever they want, regardless of consequence, or dishonest individuals breeding or stealing pets for sale while posing as rescuers.
The reality is that there’s very little actual legislation governing how these organisations are run, and no regulations around ‘pet adoption’.
Karen de Klerk, chairperson of the Cape Animal Welfare Forum (CAWF), a voluntary body of registered AWO’s working to regulate animal welfare in the Western Cape, says that sensible organisations agree on a self-imposed best practice set of rules and standards, because this benefits everyone – adopters, organisations and animals. She stresses that the public needs to support these responsible welfares, both to protect themselves and to raise overall animal welfare standards.
CHOOSiNG WiSELY MakES a DiFFERENCE
The reality is that animal welfare funding is limited, as are good homes for pets. If donations end up with fraudulent individuals, they’re not getting to the animals they’re supposed to be helping. Moreover, if fraud or mismanagement comes to light, all organisations are viewed with mistrust, resulting in plummeting donations and fewer animals helped. Additionally, irresponsible rehoming practices cause wide ripple effects, with people who will never adopt because someone they know had a bad experience.
Supporting legitimate organisations makes it harder for charlatans to flourish, and this means that the limited resources available will actually make a difference. Thus, your wise choice plays a crucial role in combating animal neglect and cruelty.
RESEaRCH REquiRED
Getting a new pet is a big decision. De Klerk advises that, “It’s worth putting time and effort into making a good choice, not just about the animal itself, but the place you’re getting it from. It’s incumbent on potential adopters to verify the information that the AWO is putting out there - to check if they “It is difficult to know which AWO to choose because there are so many,” says De Klerk, “But it is important to be sensible, get a feel for who they are, and follow your gut. Ask questions. Don’t take animals based purely on emotion. Do your research and choose wisely.”
De Klerk suggests starting with an online search to see what comes up. They don’t have to have tons of press, but there should be somewhere easily accessible where all relevant information is clearly displayed, be it a website or social media. Adoption adverts should state fees and inclusions. If you ask for more information, the AWO shouldn’t try to move your question out of the public eye.
You’re looking for transparency, openness to communicate, and accountability. You should never feel that you’re being lied to, brushed off, or treated with hostility. If they’re doing the best they can and have nothing to hide, they will be happy to tell people about it.
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CHECk THE ORGaNiSaTiON
You can make informed decisions by building an overall picture. Bear in mind that all AWO’s are struggling for resources so, although they might not be able to tick every box, they’re still worth supporting. It’s often more about how questions are answered (friendly and open versus hostile and dishonest) and, if many small things start stacking up, it may be time to look elsewhere. Activity. What is their mission and how are they achieving this? Look for photos, stats and reports showing their work.
Funds. Where does the money go? Is it a business bank account? Are there regular audits and can they produce financial statements?
Registration. Are they a registered
NPO or NPC and, if not, why not? (This isn’t a ‘must’ as it’s pretty easy for anyone to register; it just adds some credibility.) If they’re publishing a registration number, check that they’re actually still registered.
Transparency. A good AWO will be proud to share their credentials. Key information should be clearly presented in plain, understandable language.
Leadership. Is there a formal structure such as a board or committee? How are members held accountable? (Note that small organisations probably won’t have this, but that doesn’t mean they’re untrustworthy.)
Adoption questions
ONCE YOu’vE DECiDED WHiCH aWO YOu FEEL COMFORTabLE SuPPORTiNG, iT’S TiME TO iNvESTiGaTE THE aDOPTiON aSPECT. IT’S uP TO YOu TO DECiDE ON YOuR NiCE-TOHavES aND DEaL-bREakERS, buT HERE’S WHaT YOu SHOuLD bE CONSiDERiNG:
WHaT’S THEiR aDOPTiON PROCEDuRE?
There should be standard procedure, clearly explained, and applicable to everyone.
IS THERE aN aDOPTiON CONTRaCT?
This protects you, the animal and the organisation. Read it carefully before signing it.
WHaT DOES THE aDOPTiON PaCkaGE iNCLuDE?
Information about fees and inclusions should be clearly stated and easy to find.
WHaT iS THEiR STERiLiSaTiON (SPaY/ NEuTER) POLiCY?
Responsible AWO’s place great emphasis on sterilisation, particularly with companion animals like dogs, cats, and bunnies. Animals should either be sterilised before adoption or as soon as possible thereafter (e.g., if they’re too young when adopted). If it’s not included, this should be reflected by a lower fee, a contract stating that it’s mandatory, and the AWO must follow up to ensure that the adopter has it done. Not caring about sterilisation is a huge red flag.
IS THERE a HOME CHECk aND DO THEY aSk quESTiONS?
Caring organisations will never just give animals away, no questions asked.
IS THERE aNY vETERiNaRY CaRE aND PaPERWORk?
What is the animal’s state of health and are there issues you should be aware of? Are they vaccinated and dewormed?
Will you get a vaccination card or booklet? How are the other animals in their care looked after?
HOW LONG HaS THE aNiMaL bEEN WaiTiNG?
Animals get overlooked for many reasons, including age, looks, size, etc. so, having waited a long time doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem; indeed, most long-term shelter animals are fantastic pets. However, extended kennelling may mean that extra training or behavioural work is needed. Can you cope with this?
WHaT’S THEiR POLiCY aROuND HiGHLY aGGRESSivE OR DaNGEROuS aNiMaLS?
Are they assessed and worked with? Rehomed ‘as is’? Put in a shelter forever?
IS THERE a quaRaNTiNE/HOLD PERiOD aND vET CHECk FOR NEW aNiMaLS?
This allows them to observe for health and behaviour.
WHaT iS THE ‘aFTER CaRE’?
Can they help with advice or interventions? For how long after adoption are pre-existing medical conditions covered, if at all?
WHaT HaPPENS iF iT iSN’T WORkiNG OuT OR YOuR CiRCuMSTaNCES CHaNGE?
Will they take the animal back, and what happens to it then?
Pet adoption procedures
EaCH aWO HaS iTS OWN PROCEDuRES, buT, iN GENERaL, THEY HavE THE FOLLOWiNG iN COMMON:
aPPLiCaTiON
You may apply to adopt a specific animal you’ve seen advertised or they’ll suggest possible matches for your needs. There may be a form/questionnaire to complete.
MEETiNG
If possible, you should meet the animal, although many successful adoptions are from adverts alone. Meetings may be at shelters or private homes (foster care); sometimes, e.g. dog meet n greets take place in a park or similar.
HOME CHECk
This confirms that your home is safe and suitable, and that the animal will fit in with you.
CONTRaCT
This should include your and the organisation’s information, what both parties vouchsafe, and any adoption rules.
The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) came into effect on 01 July 2021 and, although many organisations are still getting to grips with this, it will eventually also be a factor to consider.
aDOPTiON FEE
This is not to ‘buy’ the animal - it is to cover the necessary care the animal has received. Fees vary from around R 700 to R 1 500 and generally cover sterilisation, vet check (cats may be tested for FIV and Feline leukaemia), and up-to-date core vaccination and deworming; microchipping may be included or done for a small additional fee. Starter packs, name tags, grooming, etc. could be offered, depending on resources. Fees should reflect inclusions - you shouldn’t be paying thousands for an unsterilised, unchecked, unvaccinated animal.
FOLLOW uP
They might contact you afterwards to find out how things are going, and most will be delighted if you send them updates.
NPO (NON-PROFiT ORGaNiSaTiON)
The Non-profit Organisations Act of 1997 defines an NPO as, “A trust, company, or other association…created for the benefit of the public. The income and property of which are not to be enjoyed by the members or office-bearers except as reasonable compensation for services rendered.” They’re registered with the Department of Social Development to which they submit detailed annual reports and financials, and members of the public have the right to access these documents. There are currently 496 registered animal welfare NPO’s in South Africa.
NPC (NON-PROFiT COMPaNY)
These organisations are treated and audited like businesses and are registered with the Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission (CIPC). In a nutshell, the objectives of NPOs and NPCs are the same, but they’re registered with different bodies and administered differently. Both can be entirely volunteer-run and/or have paid staff, but they must use any profits to advance their work.
PbO (PubLiC bENEFiT ORGaNiSaTiON)
NPOs and NPCs may apply to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to register as PBOs and can then issue Section 18A tax certificates to donors (to claim back tax on their donations). PBOs adhere to strict rules and must submit annual financials.
NGO (NONGOvERNMENTaL ORGaNiSaTiON)
An NPO or NPC that is independent of the state/government, although it may sometimes receive grants for specific activities (for example mass sterilisation).
REPORT iT
If you suspect an AWO is mistreating animals, don’t ignore it, but don’t jump to conclusions either. First try to find out what’s happening (e.g., is that emaciated dog newly rescued and undergoing rehab, or are all their animals like that?). If you’re met with hostility or blatant dishonesty, or there’s clear abuse or neglect taking place, report it to the local SPCA (visit www.nspca.co.za for a nationwide list). Don’t ‘name and shame’ online – if you’re wrong, not only could you be destroying a good welfare, but you may find yourself in serious legal hot water.
THE ADVENTURES OF PATCHY MOON DOG:
The heart-warming, true, rescue story of Pitbull, Patchy Moon Dog, entertains, educates and debunks stigma
Nelson Mandela Bay – A powerful
message of hope, love and acceptance is being shared by the Wattam family who wrote a book based on their very own journey of adopting a Pitbull from an animal rescue shelter. The book titled: The Adventures of Patchy Moon Dog, published on the 25th of April 2021, was written by Mandy Wattam, who has eloquently woven words that capture the hearts of all ages, while daughter, Lara Wattam’s creative illustrations depict the emotions of the main character, Patchy Moon Dog.
Author, Mandy Wattam, shares, “Our family’s experience of rescuing dogs and not only our Pitbull, Tego, has blessed us with a powerful message to tell. Through imparting knowledge in a story form relatable to all ages, we hope to help debunk the stigma of aggression associated with Pitbulls and encourage other families to enrich their lives by adopting pets from animal shelters.”
Heart wrenching at times, this beautifully illustrated book is based on the true story of the rescue and rehoming of an adorable puppy, Tego a.k.a. Patchy Moon Dog. This story is often fun filled, but has moments of danger and suspense to grab and hold the attention of children of all ages.
The ensuing adventures are underlined with depth, gentleness and love, which draw one in and develop a sense of empathy and understanding in the reader. There is much to learn about life from these pages, including the importance of animal rescue organisations and the dedication and adventures of the people working there, and about the value and joy of animals, particularly dogs, in one’s life.
Parents reading aloud to younger children will enjoy sharing the warmth, laughter and sense of anticipation as the story unfolds. Older children will find it hard to put down at bedtime and may have enriching dreams of the Patchy Moon Dog and the magic he spreads.
The true rescue story of a Patchy Moon Dog melts hearts, educates and continues to support rescue initiatives by donating a portion of book sales to animal rescue associations. The book is available for purchase from the author in a softcover A5 for R90.00, softcover A4 at R140.00, or a hardcover A4 at R190.00, alternatively purchase a Kindle edition from Amazon. (Mandy Wattam 083 611 1355 or mandy.oldcashstore@gmail. com)
