MEDIA STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF SPCAs CRADOCK SPCA DEREGISTRATION As the Cradock SPCA has been unable to train or engage a qualified Inspector for several years, the decision was taken to deregister the Society as an SPCA. Prevention of cruelty to animals through the enforcement of the Animals Protection Act is the core function of an SPCA. By mutual agreement, the incumbent committee chose to register an independent animal welfare shelter to continue with the provision of basic services to the community and enter into an agreement with the Municipality regarding the property. It was with great disappointment and grave concern that the National Inspector who arrived on 27 January 2014 to complete the deregistration process found that all the animals that were in the legal custody of the SPCA had been stolen from kennels during the course of the weekend; - amidst unfounded rumours and emotional conjecture that erupted on Facebook. Cat units were merely opened and the cats released. Unsterilised cats are still at large and unable to fend for themselves as they are not feral. The dogs that were taken were also unsterilised and we have no knowledge of their current whereabouts. A serious concern is that some of the animals were showing signs of illness and if left untreated will suffer unnecessarily, as well as spreading disease to other animals that they may come into contact with. The NSPCA has laid theft charges with SAPS against those who stole the animals and have failed to return them. The deregistration process was to be smooth and convenient with the healthy animals being transported to neighbouring SPCAs for adoption. The business of the SPCA was to be finalised with animal welfare services continuing to be provided by local Non Profit Organisations (NPOs) being registered in the name of Cradock Animal Shelter and Cradock Animal Rescue. Cradock Animal Shelter will admit stray and unwanted animals (Contact Paddy Orpen 082 899 7963) and Cradock Animal Rescue will respond to cruelty complaints (Contact Ade Pienaar 073 635 5943). Both organisations have their own niche and together they can provide for the protection and welfare of animals in the area. The Municipality has given its assurance that it will continue to support animal welfare and enter in a pound agreement with the local NPOs. We call upon the public to continue supporting the animal welfare organisations in the town. We urgently call upon anybody who has information regarding the whereabouts of the animals that were stolen to come forward in order that they may be retrieved, treated, sterilised and adopted responsibly, following pre-home inspections to ensure that the animals are in caring and loving homes where they will not be used for breeding purposes and kept locked up/chained. ~~~~ends~~~~
Posted on: Mon, 03 Feb 2014 08:22:55 +0000
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