Footprints by Sheila McCallum

Cape of Good Hope

We speak for, protect and care for animals

ISSUE 2, 2011

Dog training Do’s and Don’ts

10 reasons to adopt

SPCA Farmyard officially opens

Cape of Good Hope

Letter from

the Editor

ISSUE 2, 2011 EDITORIAL SARAH SCARTH, LAMEES MARTIN AND KELLY O’BRIEN PO Box 3, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7801, Tel: 021 700 4141 Fax: 021 705 2127 Email: comms@spca-ct.co.za Website: http://www.spca-ct.co.za DESIGN JOAN SUTTON Mobile: 084 562 3425 Email: joansutn@mweb.co.za COVER PHOTOGRAPH TAMED AND FRAMED PET PHOTOGRAPHY www.tamedandframed.co.za PRINTING SPONSORED BY FORMESET Tel: 021 507 9000 PAPER SPONSORED BY NOR PAPER Tel: 021 511 3810

Footprints is published by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, and all profits are used to further the work of this organisation. The opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect those of editors or the management of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA. While every effort is made to ensure editorial and factual accuracy, no responsibility is accepted for any errors.

It's hard to believe that we are already half-way through 2011, but not surprising when you page through this issue of Footprints and read how much the Cape of Good Hope SPCA has already achieved this year. The opening of the new SPCA Farmyard, which we feature on page 12 and 13, is a major accomplishment for our society. Just as soon as the enclosures for cows, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens and rabbits were completed, our Inspectors were filling them up with stray, sick and confiscated animals - testament to the urgency of a purpose-built facility for livestock. We are also very proud that the unit has a strong educational focus and invite school groups to book a visit through our education department.

3 4 5

Tel: 021 700 4158/9 A/H Emergency: 083 326 1604

As always Footprints also offers helpful hints on caring for your pets and we are pleased to share helpful dog training advice from Andrew Flynn of the Dog Obedience Centre. Some Footprints readers may recall that I signed up for his three-month course at the beginning of this year and am proud to report that Toby and I got through it and passed with flying colours (here’s the picture to prove it). This is quite an achievement, given that I was sceptical that he could reform from his delinquent ways, but today he is a whole-lot easier to handle and far more obedient, which made those Sunday morning classes well-worth it! ’til next time Sarah

Contents

BANK DETAILS: Cape of Good Hope SPCA Standard Bank Account: 0718 32858 Branch: 051001 Ref: Footprints / your name

Report Animal Cruelty:

In this issue we proudly bring you details of the new SPCA Ani-Pals Education Programme on page 14, which thanks to funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, now incorporates classroom activity booklets in English and Xhosa and two versions of the puppet show, which ‘speak’ to learners from different socio-economic backgrounds. On page 20 you’ll be able to read details of the raid by the SAPS on an organised dog fight in Plettenberg bay recently, which resulted in 10 people being arrested and 8 dogs removed to a place of safety. This is a major breakthrough in our fight against organised dog fighting and we will continue to bring you details of our campaign against this barbaric blood sport in future issues.

Contents and letter from the Editor News and Hot tips - Ticks and fleas - prevention is better than cure

10 12

Animal Care Centre Andrew Flynn on the Three Pillars of Dog Management and free Hill’s for adopters Feature - New digs for farm animals at SPCA

SPCA Vet Shop updates New delivery service

14 News round up and upcoming events Prestigious Civic Honours for SPCA and entries open for SPCA Christmas Horse Show

Education News Barloworld Toyota helps SPCA educate to prevent animal cruelty

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20 22

SPCA Hospital - Mobile Clinics take SPCA to poorest of the poor Wildlife Unit Update - SPCA investigates crocodile escape Ten good reasons to adopt from the SPCA

Inspectorate Update Police raid organised dog fight - 10 arrested Happy Tails

Event update - SPCA PURINA Woefie Wandel raises thousands for SPCA Get all the pictures and news

SPCA Horse Care Unit update - Greener pastures for retired race horses

SPCA Bequest Society Winter fine dining at SPCA Bequest Society Luncheon

www.spca-ct.co.za 3

News & Hot Tips

: Tick and flea d e t treatments W an On any given day, the SPCA cares for around 250 dogs and 100 cats in our kennel and cattery. Most arrive neglected and underweight and require veterinary treatment, nutritious meals, regular exercise and lots of t.l.c, to restore their health and well-being. Treating them for ticks and fleas is especially important as skin infections caused by tick and flea infestation is common. Every dog and cat is given oral medication (a Capstar tablet), which kills all fleas and ticks immediately and then the appropriate dosage of flea repellant is applied.

The SPCA urgently needs donations of Capstar tablets, which cost around R12 each and/or flea repellant pipettes (i.e Frontline; Advantage; etc), which cost around R50 each. These products are available at the SPCA Vet Shops (Grassy Park and 6 Gabriel Road, Plumstead) or at your local vet or vet shop. One Capstar tablet will kill all existing fleas within 24 hours. Donations can be dropped off at the SPCA or SPCA Vet Shop, or we will be more than happy to collect large donations.

Every penny counts! The Cape of Good Hope SPCA thanks retail outlets in and around Cape Town who so kindly allows us to display our coin collection tins in their stores. In the period of January to May 2011, the CoGH SPCA raised R168,820.63 from our collection tins. The money collected from these tins makes a significant contribution to helping us speak, protect and care for all animals. The following are the top tin collection stores for the same period. Location Pick n Pay Express, Newlands Engen Quickshop, Meadow Ridge Friendly Everyday, Camps Bay Pick n Pay, Steenberg Kwik Spar, Kuils River Superspar, Sea Point Pet Tag ID, Sea Point Teresa Vlok, Diep River Balloonz, Eppindust Pick n Pay Express, Muizenberg

Amount R 7,011.40 R 4,157.74 R 3,893.78 R 3,675.33 R 3,594.65 R 3,418.23 R 2,662.14 R 2,613.60 R 2,600.17 R 2,529.17

The following people have generously contributed towards the production and mailing of this magazine: Sednye and Raymond Bey-Leveld - In loving memory of Purdy Liz Williamson - In memory of Sir Gordon McCleveland, Scottie and Fluffy Shaughn Preiss - In loving memory of Megan and O.J Hazel Johnson - In loving memory of Terry and Sandy Astrid Austerfield - Dedicated to Ginza and Petra Santa Morom and James Allen - In loving memory of Appel, Pikkie, Toffel and Patches Phyllis Classe - In memory of Neville and Christopher Mrs Y Burmeister - In loving memory of darling Scoobie

Your books for good

ICANHAZCHEEZBURGER.COM

The SPCA needs your good unwanted second-hand books, especially children’s titles and art books, for the upcoming Canal Walk SPCA Book Sale (29 – 31 July) and Cavendish Square Charity Book Sale (25 – 28 August). “Over the past year we’ve raised R54 000 from the sale of secondhand books and we could grow this funding further if we get good quality books”, said SPCA Fundraiser, Natasha Johannes. You can drop off your donated books at the SPCA in Grassy Park or SPCA Vet Shop in Plumstead or contact Natasha Johannes on 021 700 4155 or email awareness@spca-ct.co.za for further details of the nearest SPCA collection point.

SPCA Vet Shop Cape of Good Hope

6 Gabriel Road, Plumstead Trading Hours: Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm Saturday: 8am to 2pm Tel: 021 761 4463

Protective clothing for the active dog

Ticks and fleas – prevention is better than cure

by Teresa James When planning outdoor activities most people put a good deal of thought into packing all sorts of protective clothing to keep dry, warm and comfortable throughout the trip. But are we leaving our canine friends out in the cold? Since many of our dogs look so well protected in their natural fur coats, most people never consider that they too could benefit from protective dog clothing. There are times when the cold weather or sharp thorns can penetrate even the thickest of coats. Just like us, if our dogs are left unprotected for extended periods of time they can suffer the chilling effects of the elements . . . losing their body heat at an accelerated rate. So before your next outing, consider packing some protective clothing for your canine pal too! Helpful tips:l A good fit is essential. Dog clothing like a dog coat or vest or dog boots must fit well so that it will remain securely in place throughout an active day of hiking. You’ll want a dog coat that will protect your dog from the elements and rough brush. l How sensitive to the elements your dog is will depend a great deal on the weather conditions, how much time he spends outside and the type of coat he has. Shorthaired breeds tend to be more sensitive to direct rain and cold. Whereas the fur of thick-coated breeds are more prone to absorb lots of water. The coat that you choose must be designed to keep your dog warm while providing protection from wind

and rain. When it’s windy and cold outside, fleece dog clothing will definitely help keep your pooch toasty warm. But remember fleece alone is not the best choice for trail conditions. It won’t provide much protection from the rain and it won’t stand up very well against the rough brush on trails. l A dog coat with a combination of a warm fleece lining and a durable nylon shell will provide maximum protection and will help maintain your dog’s core body heat. If there’s a chance that you’ll be taking your dog into a cold and rainy environment it’s probably a good idea to pack a raincoat, too. And if you choose a dog coat that covers the underside of your dog, make sure that it’s designed to give your dog enough room to do his business. l Your dog’s jacket will also provide some protection from thorns and burrs. Dog owners with thickcoated or longhaired breeds will find this a very nice bonus. Removing burdocks from fur is no picnic! Dog clothing designed for the active hound should allow your dog to enjoy a full range of motion. So make sure the leg openings will not restrict your dog’s movement. Also, look for garments designed with clean lines that are less likely to get caught on things. A wellfitting garment designed for the shape of your particular breed is best. The SPCA Vet Shop stocks a wide selection of dog jackets and vests.

Ticks and fleas can cause a host of problems for your pets from Flea Allergy Dermatitis to Sarcoptic Mange. In Cape Town, fleas and ticks are prevalent all year round. Preventing ticks and fleas from infesting your pets is a lot easier and much less expensive than treating a severe tick and flea problem. There are a number of tick and flea prevention treatments available to pet owners today and many are simple to use, hasslefree and effective for a month and sometimes longer. Before choosing a product for your pet, consult with your veterinarian or chat to the SPCA Vet Shop staff, who can guide you on the right product for your pet. Here are some golden

rules when using tick and flea treatments:l Never use dog treatments on cats and vice versa; l Always be sure of your pet’s weight to ensure correct dosage; l Don’t split one “large dog” dosage in half for two small dogs (and don’t use two “small dog” dosages on one large dog); l Read and follow all instructions when using these products. l Don’t dip your dog in cold weather - rather use an alternate product such as a spray-on solution or “spot on” pipette.

We deliver! We’ve introduced a new door-to-door delivery service to help make shopping at the SPCA Vet Shop even easier! Place your order and once we receive confirmation of your payment, your order will be delivered within 1 – 2 days. There’s a minimum delivery fee of R35.00 and all deliveries are subject to stock availability. Call us on

021 761 4463 or email

vetshop@spca-ct.co.za for further details. 5

Prestigious Civic Honours for SPCA On 28 April, the Cape of Good Hope (CoGH) SPCA was honoured to receive the prestigious Mayor’s Medal for Community Affairs at the 2011 Civic Honours Ceremony, held at the City of Cape Town Council Chambers. “We bestow civic honours on certain individuals and organisations to acknowledge their varied contributions to our collective development and to encourage them to continue their outstanding efforts. Our support is important because these contributions will achieve real, lasting development in this place we call home. As we build our new democracy, we must do all we can to promote the values of civicmindedness,” said former Cape Town Executive Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato. This award came after SPCA supporters Gareth Bain, of ACSA Cape Town International Airport and Janet Millar-Watt, a loyal SPCA volunteer, responded to a public announcement asking for civic honours nominations. For just over a century, the CoGH SPCA has carried out vital work in the City of Cape

Town, and our priorities are to:l Prevent cruelty to all animals; l Rescue animals from crisis and distress; l Provide care and shelter for abandoned, stray and surrendered animals; l Reunite and adopt animals into loving homes with a responsible owner; l Provide primary veterinary healthcare to animals in poor communities, through an efficient Former Cape Town Executive Mayor Alderman Dan Plato and City Manager, Achmat mobile clinic service; Ebrahim present SPCA CEO Allan Perrins with the prestigious Mayor’s Medal l Offer professional l To educate young learners on veterinary treatment for their time, talents, energy and sick and injured animals, through resources in the name of animal responsible pet care and the a large animal hospital, which welfare. humane treatment of animals. l To advocate for changes in laws l To inspire and motivate people to prioritises those who cannot afford private veterinary care; and policies to benefit animals. stand up for animals and to give of

Christmas SPCA Horse Show – diarise now!

EnviroServ extends care to animals

Max and Alex Satini Kruger with SPCA HCU Mascot Duimpie and SPCA Inspector Michael Herbert at the 2010 SPCA Horse Show The 2011 SPCA Horse Show will take place at the SA Riding for the Disabled Association (SARDA) in Constantia on 10th and 11th December, helping to usher in the festive season. Now in its 15th year the popular non-graded, multidiscipline show, attracted 238 entrants and generated R62 652 last year for the SPCA and their specialist Horse Care Unit in Grassy Park. The SPCA Horse Show has long been recognised by the Cape riding 6

fraternity as an ideal opportunity for little league, novice riders and those bringing on young horses, to gain valuable experience, in a relaxed and friendly environment. In addition to the showing (10th Dec) and show jumping (11th Dec) classes, horse show spectators can look forward to a good selection of gift, food and beverage stalls. For further information please contact the Event Organiser Juan August on 021 700 4180/41 or email events@spca-ct.co.za.

EnviroServ, a reputable waste management company, is not only passionate about protecting the environment, but also cares about the animals we share it with. In April, they pledged their support to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA with an annual donation of their

environmentally-friendly waste management services, to the value of R11 000. “The cost of managing and disposing of our waste is substantial and so this donation is enormously helpful as we strive to keep our operating costs to a minimum”, said CEO Allan Perrins.

Vetshop @ Century gives back The Vetshop @ Century in Canal Walk, one of the busiest vet shops in Cape Town, recently helped generate donations valued at R8000 for the SPCA. “In February the shop decided to help animals that are less fortunate than those owned by their customers and so encouraged shoppers to donate to the SPCA. Thanks to the generosity of their customers and the shop’s own donations, we collected thousands of Rands worth of pet food, treats and grooming products, which will directly benefit the many sick, injured and stray animals we care for each day”, said SPCA Fundraising Officer Natasha Johannes.

Could you be an

News Updates Community Service Opportunities at SPCA

animal angel? If you love animals and would like to make a difference to the lives of the many animals the SPCA rescues and cares for, then consider becoming part of our special group of volunteers, also known as our animal angels.

Learners needing to complete their Community Service assignments are invited to support the SPCA by volunteering at one of our fundraising events or exhibitions. Due to a change in operational requirements, we are no longer able to accommodate community service learners at our kennel facility in Grassy Park. To sign up, submit the following to SPCA Volunteer Coordinator Juan August a month prior to the assignment due date:-

There are various ways in which you can get involved:l

Kennels - socialising and exercising dogs, cleaning cages and bathing dogs.

Cattery - cleaning litter trays, changing blankets and grooming cats and kittens.

The Horse Care Unit - mucking out stables and paddocks. Experience with horses is a prerequisite to volunteer in this unit. Assist with fundraising events such as the Wiggle Waggle Walkathon, Horse Show, book sales, money counting and photography.

Maintenance - Gardening or general cleaning of our grounds.

Animal Hospital - assisting our vets and animal welfare assistants to care for sick animals, although a qualification in veterinary nursing or veterinary science is a definite prerequisite.

A stamped letter from the school stipulating the students’ community service requirements.

A completed volunteer application form, available at www.spca-ct.co.za. As we are only able to accommodate a certain number of students at any given time, students will be selected on a first come, first serve basis and those selected are required to attend a brief orientation session. l

SPCA Kennel Assistant Godfrey Toto with Colin at the SPCA kennels If you would like to make a contribution and a difference then we invite you to attend a volunteer orientation session, which takes place on the first Saturday of each month (unless stated otherwise). The orientation will give you a better understanding of what it means to

Bandana day for SPCA

volunteer at the SPCA and will allow you to make an informed decision before you sign up. Contact Volunteer Coordinator, Juan August (events@spca-ct.co.za or 021 700 4180) to book your spot at the next volunteer orientation.

For further information please contact Juan August on 021 7004 180 or email events@spca-ct.co.za.

ACSA Cape Town International reaches new heights Congratulations to SPCA donor, Airports Company South Africa: Cape Town International Airport (ACSA CTIA), which in April was awarded the prestigious title of Best Airport in Africa as well as Best Improved Airport in Africa by the Airports Council International at the Airport Service Quality Global Awards 2011 in New Delhi, India. “Cape Town International Airport remains Africa’s most award winning airport and we are exceptionally proud of this achievement. Capetonians continue to keep us on our toes by providing us with recommendations for improvement and this is why this award belongs to all of us”, said Deidre Hendricks, Communications Manager at ACSA CTIA.

On 23 February, the Adventure Club at Simon van der Stel Primary School in Wynberg held a Bandana Day in support of the SPCA. The Adventure Club and Grade 0 to 7 learners at the school purchased and wore SPCA bandanas for a day and raised R2370 in support of our work to prevent animal cruelty and help animals in need. The learners also signed a petition, pledging to always respect and care for all animals. “Congratulations to all the young learners at Simon van der Stel Primary and especially the Adventure Club for organising this caring and compassionate outreach programme, which we hope will encourage and inspire other young learners”, said CEO Allan Perrins.

Balloonz - the ‘walking’ helium pet balloons,

popular

amongst kids and adults alike, are sold at various shopping malls in Cape Town in support of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA. Over the past two years we’ve received R150 000 from the sale of these cute toys. To find out where to purchase your balloonz, visit www.spca-ct.co.za or contact Natasha on 021 700 4155 or email awareness@spca-ct.co.za. 7

Woefie-Wandel It was ‘dog’s-day-out’ on Saturday 26 February for over 400 dogs of all shapes and sizes, who woofed and waggled their way around De Tijger, Parow at the 2011 SPCA PURINA Woefie-Wandel. Two and four-legged walkers started arriving at Hoërskool Tygerberg from 7am, to register for the gentle 3.5 km walk, which started at 9am. Roads along the route were closed to traffic, giving dogs and walkers the freedom of the suburb for the morning. Regular water points helped keep walkers cool, with many dogs taking a dip in the water baths stationed every 500m. Traffic officials, marshals, volunteer veterinarians and a human first aid vehicle helped keep human and canine walkers safe along the route. Walkers were welcomed across the finish line by Radio Tygerberg’s Lorrein Katzke, who then helped the CoGH SPCA and their sponsors PURINA, Pick n Pay and Barloworld Toyota give-away over R18 000 worth of prizes. The event came to a close with an enthralling dog agility display by members of the Western Province Dog Club. “We are thrilled that so many people came out to support the event and thanks to them and our sponsors PURINA, we raised R45 000, which will go directly to preventing animal cruelty and help the SPCA care for hundreds of abused and neglected animals”, said CoGH SPCA event organiser Juan August.

Left: Stephanie Du Toit, Neomi Thiart, Michael and Kim de Kock from Welgelegen with Bubbles, Bella, Lulu and Cindy Left: Loren and Shannon Hiebner from Parow with Tigger and Cassie 8

Right: Michael Rodwell with Sky from Bellville

raises thousands for SPCA Jade and Kean au Jansen from Durban ville with Pipp a

Gunther Groenewald with Bruno from Avondale

gte of Ottery Nicholas Boe friend Lumbo with his best

Left: Michayla Larson and Amber Hemmings of Milnerton Mr and Mrs W. Kleinhans from Parow with Max and Phoebles Left: Event participants enjoyed an exciting dog agility display after the walk 9

The Three Pillars of Dog Management by Andrew Flynn Arguably the three most important aspects of training a dog and which form the basis of the Home Obedience Course at the Dog Obedience Centre, is that of reprimand, correction and praise and in that order. This is the cornerstone of training dogs at any level and will prove to be the most important management and training tool at your disposal. It takes a lot of practice but in time and with diligent application, it will become second nature and will also become the one management tool that will have your dog mastering basic and advanced obedience. It will also be the way in which you will be able to manage your dog in any situation at home. Each of these steps in the trio will be discussed in depth and will demonstrate the effectiveness of handling your dog in all situations, not just during obedience training.

Reprimand One of the concepts that needs to be borne in mind at all times is that a dog will either behave correctly or not and your response to that behaviour will be the key to training the dog. There is no middle ground, no grey area. Either a dog does something correctly or he doesn’t. It therefore stands to reason that if the dog is doing something correctly he must be praised and if he isn’t, he must be told so. You cannot expect a dog to know what is right or wrong if you don’t tell him. This is the same with children. They cannot be expected to differentiate between right and wrong without someone telling them the difference. The trick is, how you tell them and therein lies the success or failure of the reprimand. Forget about punishing a dog that’s done wrong or misbehaved. That will most definitely defeat the

purpose and cause all sorts of other behavioural problems that will then need to be rectified. The most effective way of telling a dog that he’s done something wrong is issue a very stern and strong “NO”. Examples of when a good reprimand should be issued is when the dog has disobeyed a command, has jumped on a piece of furniture, is jumping up onto somebody or some other similar transgression. Obviously, other more serious behavioural problems such as biting, stealing food, etc, need the expert guidance of a suitably qualified animal behaviourist. The ‘NO’ command should be the strongest command you’re ever going to use in training your dog. It must have the effect of stopping the dog in his tracks and at the very least, to tell the dog in no uncertain terms that he’s done wrong. Soft, weak or ineffectual reprimands are not going to have any effect. If you come across as being ineffectual or weak, the dog is going to pick up on that and capitalise on your inefficiency. You need to be in command of the dog and show authority. Tone of voice is all important here. Tone of voice can show weakness but it can also show authority. It is therefore important at this stage to stress that a reprimand is in no way a punishment and must never be used as such, but is merely a firm way of telling the dog that he’s done, or is doing something wrong. The reprimand is also not the chance to scream and shout at the dog. Doing that will show that you’re out of control and will not serve any purpose at all and in fact will probably make the situation worse. It's important that you remain in control at all times. So, the effect of the reprimand must always be to tell the dog in a firm and authoritative manner that he has done wrong or is doing something wrong. Hopefully, if the reprimand is effective enough, the dog will stop doing what it’s doing and actually correct itself. An example will be a dog on a Stay command. The dog breaks the Stay, you issue a good reprimand and the

dog stops and returns to its original position. No further action is necessary from you as your reprimand was effective. Finally, you can use any word as a reprimand, providing it’s a short, sharp word that can produce the same results. It must be able to stop a dog and to portray authority. Using reprimands such as “Uh Uh” are not going to be effective. So now you’ve succeeded in getting the message to the dog that it’s done something wrong and you’re not happy about it. You need to immediately follow up with the next step which is the correction. Correction It’s one thing telling a dog he’s done wrong but you now have to show the dog what the right way is, otherwise you’re going to get a very confused dog. If you’re at a distance from the dog then issuing a command will hopefully get him back to his original position. If not, you’ll need to go up to the dog and physically move him. If you’re walking in Heel and the dog strays or pulls forward then a reprimand followed by a correction with the lead to get the dog back into Heel.

Never reprimand a dog without immediately showing him the correct way. In other words, you must never allow a dog to get away with misbehaviour. I’ve seen handlers issue a string of reprimands and then just give up and allow the dog to continue doing what he shouldn’t. The dog is going to learn very quickly that you’re a very ineffectual handler and certainly not a leader or someone to respect. All you’re doing is handing the alpha position in the pack over to the dog, where he will then control the pack and all the resources. Serious dominance issues then develop and the trainer needs to intervene to correct things, but that can be costly and time consuming. Corrections need to be firm and quick. Once again, you cannot afford to show weakness at all, and most importantly, you cannot show any fear at all. There are handlers that are scared of their dogs, especially when they start training and this has usually arisen through trying to train a dog that is more dominant than you are. If you show fear of any sort the dog will resist the correction with aggression. Corrective actions then need to be instituted by a reputable trainer or behaviourist before training can resume. Also, don’t ever hurt a dog during a correction. A correction is not meant to be a punishment at all. If you hurt the dog it may start becoming scared or it may start showing aggression but

yet the correction must be quick, firm and result in the dog being shown the correct behaviour or action. Don’t come across as being threatening or too overbearing if you have a shy or timid dog, or the dog may start showing adverse behaviour. Praise This is the final step and is probably the most misused step. The wrong use of praise can actually ruin a dog and cause untold harm and so its use must be fully understood by the handler. Having told the dog it has done wrong and then corrected it back into the correct position, it is absolutely vital that you now tell the dog that what he’s doing is correct and that you are happy with it. This is done by way of effective praise. So, between a firm reprimand and a good praise it won’t take any dog long to realise what’s right and what’s wrong. Reprimanding and correcting a dog without praising it will soon result in a dejected dog with low self esteem. Fixing that afterwards can take months under the guidance of a reputable trainer. In fact, there doesn’t have to be a reprimand and correction to praise a dog. The dog could just be doing something right for which you need to praise it. Correct praise will reenforce correct behaviour and will serve to boost the dog’s self esteem. A dog will soon realise what

behaviour will lead to praise and what behaviour will lead to a reprimand, but you need to be consistent. An important point to remember is that praise does not have to be lavish physical praise and in fact it shouldn’t be. Effective praise can be verbal praise. Your tone of voice will deliver the message to the dog in no uncertain terms that you are happy. Using physical praise can sometimes lead to dogs, especially young ones, going into play mode, or wanting to jump up on you. In cases like that, reduce or eliminate the physical praise and use verbal praise instead. Obviously, if it doesn’t matter if the dog starts bouncing around then that's fine, but from a training perspective you need to maintain control. Finally, if the dog is away from you on a Stay for instance, it needs to be constantly praised for as long as it remains in the Stay position. Praising has the effect of boosting morale and self confidence so keep on letting the dog know it’s doing well. One thing you must not do is praise with a very playful tone of voice and making hand and head movements suggesting it’s play time, because the dog is likely to break its position and start playing. It then gets reprimanded for something you were suggesting to it in the first place. So keep the praise under control but certainly get the message across that you’re pleased with the dog.

Putting it all together Having interrogated the three elements of this whole process in some detail, it remains to string the whole lot together into an effective and essential management tool, that you will you use for the rest of the dog’s life. The key here is balance. There must be a constant balance between the correction/reprimand and praise and in fact, this balance is dynamic and must be carefully applied. The rule is that over praising a boisterous dog or over correcting a timid or reserved dog will produce serious problems. You need to be able to ‘read’ your dog at all times. There will be times when a firm hand is needed and so the reprimand and corrections get firmer until control is maintained, or the dog may be out of sorts or just plain docile, in which case the balance must shift more to the praise side. Maintaining the correct balance at all times will develop the character of your dog as well as the strong bond that will develop between the two of you. Finally, I cannot stress enough that you must earn the love and respect of your dog and that will happen through careful management, so use these guidelines correctly and consistently and you’ll soon see how using praise and correction effectively will be the basis for a happy and obedient dog. Good luck!

Hill’s on the House for Heroes Every person who adopts a pet saves a life and now Hills Pet Nutrition is rewarding these heroic deeds by giving away a bag of Hill’s Science Plan with every dog, puppy, cat and kitten adopted from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA until end March 2012. “For every animal that is adopted from our society there is another waiting to take its place and be given a loving new home”, said SPCA Animal Care Centre manager, Margie Ainscow. “It might sound exaggerated to call our adopters

heroes, but to us and the animals they give a new home to, this is just what they are”, she said. But encouraging Capetonians to adopt rather than buy a pet is the SPCAs biggest challenge. “So many people think that the SPCA is an unhappy place with rows of cages filled with sad cats and dogs, but that is not our reality. Once some-one arrives at our SPCA and sees how comfy and chilled out the gorgeous cats and kittens are in our beautiful cattery or hears the playful barks from our dogs and puppies, 99% will adopt from us”, she said. The SPCA prepares each animal for its new home by

giving it a full medical examination, sterilising, vaccinating and de-worming him or her and then inserting a pet ID chip under the skin and fitting an ID disc. All of this is covered in the adoption fee of R525 for a dog and R475 for a cat, plus each adopter will receive the following complimentary food from Hill’s Pet Nutrition, the food veterinarians recommend and feed their own pets more than any other brand in the world:Kittens receive a starter kit, which

includes a 400g Science Plan bag and 2 pouches. Cats receive a 400g bag of Science Plan Adult or a 300g bag of Science Plan Mature Adult. Puppies receive a starter kit, which includes a 1kg Science Plan bag. Dogs Small and medium dogs will take home a 1kg bag of Science Plan Adult or Mature Adult Mini or Medium. Large breeds will take home a 3kg bag of Science Plan Adult or Mature Adult Large Breed.

New digs for farm animals at The SPCA’s new, much-needed livestock pound - or Farmyard as it is affectionately known - which will provide shelter and care for stray and confiscated livestock, was officially opened by the Western Cape Minister for Agriculture, Gerrit van Rensburg on Monday, 6 June. The facility, which covers just over an acre at the SPCA in Grassy Park, boasts separate enclosures for cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, and rabbits. In his opening address Minister van Rensburg said. “I want to thank the SPCA for the very important work they are doing for farm animals. As the Minister of Agriculture, I want all farmers to accept responsibility for the animals they keep. People who cannot care for animals should not have them in the first place”, he said. Anthony and Caroline Sedgwick, who provided most of the funding for the construction of the facility, attended the opening with their young son Nicholas. “As a member of the CoGH SPCA Board of Directors I was aware of the pressing need for a purpose-built facility to care for a wide-range of stray and mistreated livestock. When our much-loved SPCA adopted dog Bennie passed away a couple of years ago, Caroline and I wanted to make a lasting legacy in his memory and we are thrilled that this new unit will not only benefit animals in need, but also act as an extension of the SPCA education programme”, said Anthony. His sentiments were echoed by CEO, Allan Perrins who said that the facility is unique, in that it is both a working and functional unit as well as a Centre of Learning Excellence, where children can learn about farm animals and how to properly care for them, thanks to the informative and beautifully designed education boards that appear throughout the facility. Allan also said he hoped the unit would help persuade consumers to change their spending patterns in favour of cruelty-free farming practices. “To the SPCA, farm animals represent much more than social security or pure profit and we abhor cruel factory farming practices and genetic engineering resulting in 12

MEC for Agriculture Gerrit van Rensburg and SPCA CEO Allan Perrins wish Farmyard groom Goodluck Gwadiso the best of luck at the opening of the new Farmyard. Goodluck will be largely responsible for the daily care of the farm animals. Franckenfood. We recognise each animal’s sentience and treat them accordingly, being mindful of the fact that animals used for human consumption far outnumber individual animals used for other purposes.” “A few years ago the estimated number of sheep and goats in South Africa numbered 29 million and the number of cattle was estimated to be around 8 million. Many of them now co-habit our urban spaces and have become an inextricable way of African life. This makes the addition of a purpose-built livestock pound an inevitable eventuality to enable the SPCA to take care of this group of animals, which should never be taken for granted, as our very well-being depends on their welfare”, he said.

The majority of animals impounded by the SPCA each year are owned by subsistence farmers, who have no access to communal grazing areas and allow their cattle, goats and sheep to pasture on the side of busy roads, with minimal supervision. This poses a serious risk to road users and the animals, which may wander into the traffic and cause serious harm to themselves and others. The SPCA also regularly removes sick, injured and underweight livestock that are kept in inadequate conditions, with many confiscated from live-animal markets situated near townships. During the past year, the SPCA carried out three confiscations involving 173 farm animals and investigated 170 cases of cruelty

to farm animals. He also acknowledged the important role of the SPCA Farmyard staff, who will be responsible for caring for confiscated and impounded farm animals. “In our farmyard, all the animals are allowed to express their natural behaviour and have many friends, but I have noticed that they have a favourite in the person of Goodluck, their caregiver, as they have come to associate him with compassion and meal times.” “Goodluck gives true meaning to the term animal husbandry. He does an excellent job caring for the animals in his Farmyard and I have discreetly noticed him spending quality time with his charges, gently reassuring those which arrive

SPCA

MEC for Agriculture Gerrit van Rensburg and Anthony, Caroline and Nicholas Sedgwick at the opening of the Farmyard

Photos by Jeanine Bresler

Grade 1 Oakley House School learners Jimmy Jackson, Jesse de Jager, Minati Nabela and Melissa Gierdien at the new Farmyard Below: Grade R learners from Western Province Preparatory learnt more about farm animals during their visit to the new Farmyard, which they helped raise funds for

traumatised and beaten”, he said. The importance of operational funding to employ the right people to care and feed the farm animals and access medical treatment where necessary, was reiterated by Anthony, who confirmed that his family would not only be making the capital donation but had pledged further funding for the next five years towards the Farmyard’s operational costs. “I hope that our family’s donation will encourage others, who value the work done by the SPCA to acknowledge the importance of supporting operating costs”, he said. A beautiful wooden bench for the Farmyard was generously donated by Ian and Kim Shiffman in memory of their dog, Mikey. 13

Education News

New Ani-Pals for Ani-mals Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF), the SPCA has redeveloped its award-winning Ani-Pal Education Programme, which teaches thousands of younger learners each year about the importance of responsible pet care though an interactive puppet show. The fundamental principles developed when the programme was first launched in 2003 remain the same i.e. teaching children the Ani-Pal rules:Happy pets need:l Food and water; l Shelter; l Exercise;

Health care; Sterilisation; l and Love. The funding from the NLDTF enabled the SPCA Education department to renew the puppets and puppet stand and refresh the puppet show into two versions, each one tailored to ‘speak’ to learners from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Funding was also allocated to develop classroom activity booklets in English and Xhosa, which have been approved as curriculum-based for Foundation phase learners by the Western Cape Department of Education. Over the past year 11 580 learners from across the greater Cape Town l l

Sive Silala of Zimasa Public Primary School and Scooby

Barloworld Toyota helps SPCA educate to prevent animal cruelty

Julian September of Barloworld Toyota Stellenbosch and SPCA’s Thembi Nomkala with learners from Pieter Langeveldt Primary School Over the past 12 months the Barloworld Toyota Western Cape’s Buddy 4 Buddy campaign has raised R120 000 for the Cape of Good Hope (CoGH) SPCA’s education programme, which reaches thousands of young learners each year and teaches them about responsible pet care. The campaign was a joint initiative by the Barloworld Toyota Stellenbosch, Tygervalley and Kuilsriver dealerships, which came together and generously donated a Rand amount for every vehicle sold and/or serviced during the campaign period. 14

“Our target was R100 000 but thanks to the loyal support of our customers, many of whom care about the welfare of animals, we exceeded this and were able to make this substantial donation to the SPCA”, said Franchise Executive for

Barloworld Toyota Western Cape, Hilton van Beek. The campaign, whose mascot is Toyota’s famous “talking” boxer, Buddy, ran from April 2010 to May 2011. “Preventing animal cruelty starts with teaching our children that animals feel pain and that acts of animal cruelty, such as dog fighting, are inhumane and are a punishable offence”, said CoGH SPCA CEO, Allan Perrins. “The task of taking our message to thousands of young learners in the hope that they will grow up to be responsible caring adults, is a massive and expensive undertaking and would have been very difficult to carry out were it not for Barloworld Toyota’s magnanimous support”, he said. The SPCA education programme targets learners from Grade R to 5 using an entertaining and interactive puppet show, which encourages responsible pet care and the importance of sterilisation. Last year the SPCA presented their education programme to 11 580 young learners.

metropole, have been exposed to the SPCA Ani-Pal Education programme and the mobile clinic component of the programme, which targets 11 schools in underprivileged communities each year, brought in 439 dogs and cats for sterilisation. As part of the new programme, children from these 11 schools who obtain their parents consent to hand over their pet for sterilisation, are rewarded with their own special framed picture of themselves and their pet. For more information on the progamme contact the SPCA Education Department on 021 700 4181 or email educ1@spca-ct.co.za.

Convent Girls spring into action for SPCA

Samantha Petter-Bowyer, SPCA Education Officer Lucille Boonzaier and Olivia Doidge Grade three learners, Olivia Doidge, Samantha Petter-Bowyer, Emma Dore, Mikaela Hughes and Amie Irvine of Springfield Convent Girls School in Constantia are passionate about animals and their welfare. In March they decided to put their passion into action by addressing their fellow learners during a school assembly and encouraging them to support the SPCA. With the help of their teachers, they challenged each Grade 1 - 3 class to raise money for the SPCA, with the class raising the most money winning a special prize. To their astonishment, in just two weeks, R3566.25 was raised for the SPCA.

SPCA Horse Care Unit

Greener pastures for retired race horses

Above & right: The Farmyard under construction

Stephanie Frohlich with retired race horse Mojo, who she adopted through REHORP

What happens to ex-racehorses after their careers on the racetrack are over? Most would assume that they retire to greener pastures, but the

truth is that unless their new homes are carefully selected, they may be destined to a less than desirable fate. In mid 2009, the Western Cape Equine Trust (WCET) introduced their Rehoming of Racehorses Project (REHORP) together with the SPCA Horse Care Unit. The initiative encourages racehorse owners to hand their thoroughbred horses that are in good health and condition to the SPCA HCU, which then works with the horses to bring them down and help them gradually adjust to becoming companion equines. Once ready for adoption, an SPCA HCU inspector will visit the property of the potential adoptee to check that it is suitable. If satisfactory and necessary, the horse will be gelded and fitted with a micro-chip and the applicant is charged an adoption fee of between R3000 and R6000. This

adoption fee goes towards the HCU’s running costs, which currently stand at R80 000 per month. If the horse is not adopted after approximately three months, it may be returned to the trainer. The Unit, which is one of only two specialised units in South Africa, is dedicated to preventing cruelty to all equines, rescues abused and abandoned horses, donkeys and ponies and if they are suitable, adopts them to responsible new homes. “The project has been embraced by racehorse owners and trainers who, like the SPCA, also want peace of mind that their horses will go to good homes”, said SPCA HCU stable master, Louis Joubert. “To date over 30 horses have been rehomed through REHORP - a 100% success rate thanks to the combined efforts of everyone involved”, said Joubert.

WCET’s steadfast support Since its inception in 1994, the Western Cape Equine Trust (WCET) has been committed to the welfare of equines in the Western Cape through their support of the SPCA Horse Care Unit (HCU) in Grassy Park. The Trust is the HCU’s primary sponsor and through their support the HCU is able to employ two full-time inspectors, who each week carry out dozens of inspections, as well as two grooms and a stable master. Their generous funding helps the SPCA maintain 17 outdoor and 8 indoor stables for animals requiring intensive or specialised treatment. The unit can accommodate up to 40 equines and has two horse boxes and three vehicles, which are capable of getting to locations situated off the beaten

track. The Aubrey Jacobs Feed Store enables the unit to keep adequate supplies of feed for its horses, ponies and donkeys. Under the chairmanship of Tom Fowler, the WCET committee actively raises funding for the HCU. Their monthly contribution and the personal efforts of a number of their committee members who volunteer at the unit, has resulted in the unit boasting a particularly successful year. In the last financial year, the HCU inspected 1610 equines of which 106 were confiscated from neglected or abusive circumstances; 87 warnings were issued and 296 equines received medical treatement. Overall they achieved a 95% adoption rate with 59 of the 62 equines permanently taken into our care, successfully adopted to new homes!

Blue Cross support for Horse Care Unit Special thanks to Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital who at the end of 2010 provided specialised treatment and 24 hour monitoring to a very sick horse brought to the SPCA. Not only did they pull the horse through but they discounted the medical bill of R17 149 by R7 000. 15

Hospital news

Mobile Clinics take SPCA to poorest of the poor The Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s veterinary Mobile Clinic programme, which is comprised of a fleet of four specially-designed vehicles, providing primary health care to low income communities across Cape Town, continues to expand its reach to treat sick and injured animals in impoverished communities. In the past year the unit treated 24 072 dogs and cats and admitted 786 for sterilisation or treatment. This improvement in the number of animals they helped is largely due to the commissioning of a fourth Mobile Clinic vehicle, funded by the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) Cape Town International Airport (the unit’s primary sponsor) and the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF). A team of two - a certified Animal Welfare Assistant (AWA) and a driver operate each mobile clinic and in addition to offering basic veterinary

services, they educate the public on animal care, nutrition and encourage them to have their animals sterilised. Sterilisation is a priority for the SPCA given that the overpopulation of animals in poorer communities jeopardises the health and welfare of both animals and their owners. “It takes a lot of time and patience to convince an owner that it is in their animal’s best interest for him or her to be sterilised. This will always be an ongoing battle and a challenge for our Mobile Clinic operators”, said CoGH SPCA’s Hospital Administrator, Wendy Robinson.

Because the team operates in impoverished communities which are plagued with unemployment and crime, the Mobile Clinic operators are often threatened by criminals and gangsters. Despite the dangers, the operators will seek out more secure locations (i.e. next to a Children in Wallacedene police station or community recently brought their pets to an centre), in order to continue SPCA Mobile Clinic for free delivering primary veterinary de-worming services care, which is so desperately needed. “Notwithstanding the challenges that the Mobile Clinics have encountered in the past year, they have continued to offer improved medical services and have reached a greater number of indigent animals and their owners across Cape Town”, said Wendy.

Brave dog overcomes pain to find owner On the 14th April 2011, Phenias Nhwane brought his dog, Collie, to the SPCA Animal Hospital to be treated, after he was knocked down by a car and left badly injured. While his dog was receiving treatment, he told our hospital staff about Collie’s miraculous survival:-

Head Veterinarian Dr Kuki Harris treated Collie at the SPCA Hospital

“I was out walking with Collie in Makhaza, when he strayed into the road and was hit by a car. I was distraught and thought I’d lost my friend forever. Sadly, I left him to fetch a spade so I could bury him properly, but when I returned he was gone. I was so unhappy and just hoped someone had buried him and went home with a broken heart.” “Three weeks later, I woke up early one morning and was shocked to find Collie in the yard. I asked around but

nobody knew what had happened to Collie during those three weeks. He was so brave to make it back home with his injuries. However he was limping badly so I came to the SPCA in Grassy Park for help”. Dr Kuki Harris examined Collie and found that his right forelimb had contracted from an injury to the radius/ulna, with the leg healing at an acute angle. By this stage the only option was to amputate as there were pressure sores developing on the limb and the open wounds were infected. Despite Mr Nhwane’s lack of an income he still contributed what he could towards the cost of surgery and the SPCA covered the balance of R2000. Collie went home with Phenias after recovering from the surgery and is doing well and is getting used to walking on three legs.

SPCA investigates crocodile esc On February 25, a motorist travelling down the N2 near Du Doorns was surprised to spot a 2m Nile crocodile crossing the road. He bravely stopped and took the sub-adult reptile, which had its mouth taped shut, to his home in Parow North, from where he called the CoGH SPCA’s Wildlife Unit for assistance. SPCA Wildlife Unit Inspectors immediately contacted CapeNature officials, who asked the SPCA to temporarily house the animal until they could determine who the likely owner might be. CapeNature soon advised that the rescued crocodile was one of at least ten, which escaped from a vehicle while being transported from Paarl to a farm in Bloemfontein. Two other

crocs were found two days later in the Breede River area with their mouths taped up and another two were found dead. CapeNature launched an investigation to find the remaining five missing crocodiles but were not able to locate them. It was presumed that they died of exposure and dehydration. The CoGH SPCA handed the case over to the NSPCA’s Wildlife Unit to investigate further how the animals managed to escape and who was responsible for transporting them. “The SPCA is anxious to know the circumstances that led to the crocodiles escaping their transportation vehicle as there is definitely a case of animal neglect to answer for”, said Wildlife Unit Supervisor Brett Glasby.

SPCA Wildlife Unit Update

SPCA Inspector Gareth Petterson with the rescued 2m Nile Crocodile

Wild animals choose freedom not circuses

Philip Zietsman of Folio Translation Consultants hands over donated goods to the value of R1469 to SPCA Wildlife Unit Trainee Inspector Megan Reid. The company made the donation in response to an appeal for essential wildlife rescue equipment. Thanks to Folio Translation Consultants, the unit now has a pair of Bushnell Falcon 10 x 50 binoculars, an LED Lenser P7 tactical torch, a fold-out shovel, two mountain gaiters and a multi tool kit.

When Mclaren Circus came to town in March, animal rights and welfare groups protested vociferously against keeping and training wild animals for circus acts. “Wild animals in circuses spend their lives in captivity and are forced to perform tricks and display unnatural behaviour in the name of entertainment”, said Brett Glasby, SPCA Wildlife Unit Supervisor. “In our opinion seeing a wild animal jump through hoops and loops is of no educational benefit to children and the SPCA believes wild animal acts should be outlawed”, he said. The CoGH SPCA appealed to Capetonians to choose circuses that do not include wild animal acts, over those that do. The CoGH SPCA’s Wildlife Unit carried out inspections at each location visited by the Mclaren Circus to check on the living conditions for all the animals, which included four lions, two tigers, three snakes and some goats, horses, ponies and a

miniature donkey. Said Inspector Glasby after an inspection on 28 March at the circus’s location in Parklands:- “Whilst the animals appear to be in good physical condition, we offered additional guidelines to help them improve environmental enrichment (i.e. stimulating activities) for the lions and tigers in particular”.

The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) launched a campaign to raise awareness of the plight of wild animals in circuses and other travelling acts. Their “Celebrate the Wildness of Wild Animals” initiative, which seeks to strengthen legislation to protect wild and exotic animals, has been endorsed by well-known South Africans, including Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Johnny Clegg and Claire Johnston. According to the NSPCA, “wild animals used in circuses and other travelling acts are routinely subjected to months on the road confined in small, barren cages or in chains. These animals then demonstrate stereotypic and abnormal behaviour patterns indicative of prolonged stress and suffering. It is the stress through the process of confinement and transportation that makes up the bulk of the animals’ suffering”. For further information and to support the NSPCA’s campaign, visit www.nspca.co.za. 17

Ten good reasons to adopt You’ll save a life and make a significant contribution to your community. More stray dogs and cats are admitted to this SPCA than to any other animal welfare organisation in the Western Cape. By adopting a pet, you’ll not only be saving a life but also help another animal, who can take over the shelter space that you have freed up.

You’ll get a healthy animal, as each animal is given a full medical examination by one of our three vets. Every adopted dog and cat is sterilised, vaccinated, de-wormed, and fitted with a pet identity microchip and given an ID disc, which is all covered by the adoption fee.

2 3 4 5

You’ll save money because adopting an animal is always going to be cheaper than buying an animal from a breeder or at a pet store. It costs just R475 to adopt a cat and R525 to adopt a dog from the SPCA.

You’ll get a free bag of Hill’s pet food. Every person who adopts a dog, puppy, cat or kitten from the SPCA between now and the end of March 2012 will receive complimentary food from Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

You’ll know your pet’s temperament because all animals available for adoption undergo a behavioural assessment and guidance is offered on their likes and dislikes.

from the SPCA

If you are considering getting a pet, consider these ten good reasons to adopt from the SPCA:-

There’s always a great selection of breeds and personalities to choose from. Joanne Lefson said: “Shelters are like chocolate boxes – there is something sweet for everyone” – and we agree! Whatever your preferences, we are sure to have the perfect canine or feline friend for you!

6 7 8 9 10

You’ll receive great service from people who care. Despite the large volume of animals, each animal is treated compassionately and with respect, just as our potential adopters are!

We’ll help you make the perfect choice for a life-long companion by applying our thorough adoption process, which will help you select the right pet and ensure that pet will be safe and well cared for.

You’ll feel good knowing you have done the right thing. Your adopted pet will be more appreciative than you could imagine and is likely to show his or her gratitude by offering unconditional love. Studies have proven that pets can improve a person’s well-being, which is why animals are commonly used in therapy, and can even provide your life with a sense of purpose.

You are setting an example for others to follow and affirming that shelter animals are cool! For more information visit www.spca-ct.co.za/adopt or call 021 700 4140.

Police raid organised dog fight - 10 arrested The SPCA’s fight against organised dog fighting syndicates was given a huge boost when police raided a small holding in Plettenberg Bay on 14 May and arrested 10 people said to be key role players in this lucrative blood sport. The victims of this violent ‘sport’ were eight pit bulls, two of which were already severely injured from the fight they were engaged in when police made the surprise raid. They were immediatly removed by animal welfare officers to a place of safety to be treated and cared for. Dog fighting is about abuse, sadism and greed. This savage blood sport is shocking and difficult to comprehend, even for those who have been investigating this scourge for years. Unfortunately dog fighting is not limited to organised syndicates. Informal ‘street fighting’ is common

place and the proliferation of pit bull ownership in impoverished communities is widespread. The CoGH SPCA has already spent thousands of Rands investigating organised dog fighting, but we can't stop now. With your help we can provide vital funds for our Inspectorate to continue investigating and prosecuting those who subject dogs to this barbaric ‘sport’ which causes so much pain and suffering. To pledge your support visit www.spca-ct.co.za or contact us on 021 700 4141.

Cruelly transported farm animals rescued by SPCA

When SPCA Inspector Alwyn Marais responded to a report of a distressed cow and sheep being transported on the back of a bakkie in Edgemead on 4 June, he did not expect to find the animals tethered by their legs and restrained on their sides, as if they were rubble being transported to a dump site.

According to the driver of the vehicle, the animals were allegedly purchased from a farm in Wellington and were being transported to the Joe Slovo informal settlement for a ritual slaughter. When he arrived at the scene he found outraged members of the public crowded around the vehicle, after they had forced the driver of the bakkie to pull over. With

the help of the SAPS and the Cart Horse Protection Association, the animals were removed from the vehicle and transported to the SPCA Farmyard in Grassy Park. “Whilst we respect that farm animals are slaughtered for religious purposes, their transport and handling must be carried out humanely and without any harm or distress being caused to the animals. The manner in which these two animals were restrained, without shelter or access to food or water is totally unacceptable and in contravention of the Animals Protection Act”, said Alwyn. Both animals are now being well cared for at the SPCA’s new Farmyard in Grassy Park and their outcome will be determined after consultations with the owner.

Above and below: The rescued cow and sheep are in safe hands at the SPCA Farmyard

Lottery funding a huge boost for Inspectorate

The men and women in the SPCA’s Inspectorate, who face challenging, intimidating and often threatening situations daily in their mission to help animals at risk, have received critical funding of R489 526 from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF). The much-needed funding, which affirms the critical community service the SPCA performs in preventing animal cruelty and rescuing animals in crisis, will go towards off-setting the following operational costs:l Vehicle and equipment maintenance and repairs. Will ensure that the SPCA Inspectors can rely on their SPCA fleet of vehicles to get them to animals at risk quickly and safely and that their animal handling equipment is kept in good working order. l Vehicle tracking. Provides added security and allows the SPCA controllers to identify the movement of SPCA Inspectors at all times. l Transport costs. Funding for fuel, oil, licenses, etc, which are all essential to run a reliable fleet of vehicles. l Staff salaries. Animals need the right people to protect and care for them. l Communication costs to run a 24-hour control centre where members of the public can report animal cruelty and obtain assistance for sick and injured stray animals. l Uniforms. SPCA Inspectors need to be identifiable as officers of the law and their uniforms go a long way to identifying them to members of the public seeking assistance. “We are deeply grateful to the NLDTF for recognising the value of our work and most importantly acknowledging that funding is needed annually to support the SPCA Inspectorate, which is at the frontline in efforts to prevent animal cruelty”, said CEO Allan Perrins.

Inspectorate

138 years of action for animals

tIn addition to speaking to hundreds of animal owners on responsible animal care during their daily work, their initiatives included: l

On any given day the SPCA’s Inspectorate control centre will handle an average of 100 calls from citizens reporting cases of animal abuse and neglect or seeking assistance for an injured or sick stray animal. During the past financial year the efforts of eight qualified inspectors; eight trainee inspectors and four animal collection officers achieved the following:t Handled 13,149 calls to the Inspectorate’s 24-hr control centre;

t Confiscated 261 animals from cruel or neglectful circumstances; t Issued 1,326 warnings in an effort to educate first before taking punitive action; t Inspected 27,983 animals and their living conditions; t Conducted 4,875 investigations, some of which resulted in persons facing prosecution under the Animals Protection Act.

Combating cruelty (including dog fighting) through educational talks in schools and at community gatherings; Increasing the number of proactive outreaches in communities; Increasing Inspectorate visibility in informal settlements around Cape Town.

Training is a critical element to ensure that SPCA Inspectors are skilled and competent to handle difficult and challenging cases of animal cruelty. In the past year four Trainee Inspectors successfully qualified through the NSPCA Inspectors course and a further three are nearing qualification. In-house training has been prioritised (to include Trainee Inspectors from other SPCAs and animal welfare organisations) and they have embraced quality assurance as their modus operandi. The SPCA Inspectorate is available 365 days a year, 24-hours a day to respond to calls of animal cruelty. They rely on good citizens to advise them of animal cruelty and neglect. If you are concerned about the welfare of an animal please call them today on 021 700 4158/9 or a/h on 083 326 1604 and rest assured that all calls are confidential.

Happy TAILS

Cyber space unites Shirley and Diago Shirley Jenner of Plumstead adopted Diago after seeing a photo of him on our website (www.spca-ct.co.za). Said Shirley:- “I felt an instant connection to Diago and just knew that I had to bring him home”. Diago has settled in wonderfully with his new family, which includes Mel, a 6 year-old Labrador as well as a cat and cockatiel. “As soon as he arrived, he decided that my garden swing chair would henceforth be his! He puts all his toys and bones on it and lies there all day, rocking. He’s taken a special liking to Mel and is so playful. Mel is being very patient with him especially because he seems to be so dependent on her, so much so that when something scares him, he sits on top of her! He also finds the cat interesting although she does not share the sentiment and wards him off with an occasional swipe, to which he reacts by tilting his head as if to say, “What a strange creature!” Diago has also become known for his roving tongue and licks everything in sight. In the car he has licked the windows, the seats, the seat belts, my daughter’s pony tail and the ceiling. My son and Diago get on so well and he is proving to be very therapeutic for my son who has ADD”.

Ever wondered what happens to animals once they have been rehomed by the SPCA? Here are a few happyever-afters to warm your heart!

Pluto finds his perfect match

Houdini escapes to love

In early February, Pluto and his brother Mars were found abandoned in Schaapkraal, Phillipi. Soon after they arrived at the SPCA’s Animal Centre, these brothers captured the hearts of kennel staff and volunteers with their affectionate natures. In April Sue Liellcock of Bergvliet visited the SPCA in search of a companion for her Boxer Scamper. She was looking for a well socialised dog that would be comfortable with Scamper, the cat Tiggy and her children. Pluto was the perfect match and shortly after her visit he went to his new home. “I was impressed with the good service and friendliness of the SPCA Animal Centre staff, who were dedicated to helping us find the perfect match. Pluto is in puppy heaven in his new home and gets on extremely well with Scamper. We often find ourselves watching them play together. They have such fun together and get up to silly antics, which gives us good laughs. My sons adore Pluto and he showers them with love and cuddles and he has even won over the approval of Tiggy. Pluto is easy to train and is such a joy and we often wonder why anyone could have abandoned him”, said Sue. “I’m just sad that we couldn’t take his brother Mars as well, who is still waiting to be adopted and he too would make a lovely pet for someone be it a family, couple or single,” said Sue.

In November last year little Houdini wasn’t the happiest pony around. His owners couldn’t afford to care for him and being a bit of a cheeky stallion, he escaped and ended up at a stud farm in Schaapkraal, where he caused quite a commotion. The SPCA’s Horse Care Unit was called in to collect him and they tracked down his owner, who agreed to surrender him to us. A month later, Houdini was able to put his escapades behind him when Belinda and Mark Lindhorst’s daughter Shannon fell in love with the miniature pony and adopted him to their home in Paarl, just in time for Christmas. “This delightful little fellow has greatly enriched our lives and is very much a part of the family. Every morning Shannon has her breakfast while sitting next to the kitchen stable door and Houdini rests his head on the bottom half of the door. She keeps him well-groomed although she has a job on her hands as he loves to roll! Shannon also takes him for walks at the holiday resort next door to us where Houdini enjoys greeting visitors and he especially loves children,” said Belinda.

Levi’s perfect fit Thirteen years ago Nicolene Van Zyl adopted Sheba, an adult cat from the SPCA, who became like a child to her. Sheba unfortunately went blind seven years ago but Nicolene continued to care for her until her death in August 2010. The bond she shared with Sheba encouraged her to adopt another feline friend from the SPCA’s cattery. On arrival, Nicolene was impressed to see how beautifully decorated the cattery (a.k.a ‘kitty palace’) was and how relaxed and happy all the cats were. Although there were many cats needing homes and Nicolene felt that if she could, she’d take them all home, it was Levi, a surrended adult cat, whose loud meowing and charming purrs helped Nicolene choose her from the others. “From the first day in her new home, Levi was calm and loved cuddling. She is such a sociable creature and enjoys entertaining and chatting to visitors. I’ve managed to revive the kitten in her and we spend loads of time playing together. She is crazy about her white onemetre long rope, which she carries in her mouth wherever she goes and calls me for playtime. After playing, she will hide it until the next playtime. Levi is my only ‘child’ and admittedly is spoilt rotten and even has her own drinking glass”, said Nicolene.

Winter fine dining at SPCA Bequest Society Luncheon SPCA Bequest Society members and their guests enjoyed an afternoon of fine dining at Reuben’s restaurant at Cape Town’s One and Only Hotel on Tuesday, 10 May 2011. The superb lunch was followed by a presentation on the SPCA’s highlights over the past year and then acclaimed forensic scientist and Sunday Times Literary Award nominee, Dr David Klatzow, kept guests enthralled with his talk entitled “Forensic mongrels and other breeds”. Raffle prizes included cosmetic gift sets from Elizabeth Arden, a book hamper, a copy of Reuben’s recipe book, one of two Quali Juice hampers as well as a set of two paintings donated to our Society by artist Daniela Herzsprung. Guest Ingrid Heydenrych said she was honoured to be a part of the SPCA family: “I love attending the SPCA functions. It is heart warming and so thought provoking being amongst so many great people who love our animals”. Special thanks to Dr Klatzow for sharing his knowledge and experiences and to Congress Rentals; Wine of the Month Club; Good Taste Magazine and Bartenders Workshop.

Ann Gray, Elizabeth Condon and Pamela Irwin

Pierre van Nieuwenhuyse, Christine Swart and Val Hallack

Sylvia Tulipan with her grandson David Tulipan and Pat Louw

June Bester, Ann Middleton, Jack Cunningham and Lee Bester

Anne Wozniak, Maisie Swoboda, Ann Krawczyk and Jackie Bradey

Rowena Evans, Giovanna Sator, Diana Booth and Rosemary Caviezel

Prize Sponsor Fran Hills of Elizabeth Arden with guests Wim and Noeline Reijnders