One of the biggest challenges, apart from funds, was the transporting of the animals to and from the venue. GRSPCA, CAT and the HHS, offered their assistance in transporting these animals to and from the Touwsranten Communit Hall, to help community members who had no means of transport for their animals. These capable teams also made sure that the animals were fed and hydrated after surgery and their calming presence helped the animals to stay relatively stress free. Each animal also needed a blanket, a food bowl, and a small bag of food to take home with them.
According to Lauren Pelser, co-founder of the HHS, they initially planned sterilized 56 dogs and 50 cats. Due to the donations received through this initiative, they have been able to assist a further 39 animals at the PDSA clinic and are set to sterilize an additional 26 animals that have registered already, which will bring the total number of animals sterilized through this initiative, to 171! Because the need is so big, they are gearing up to do another Spay-a-thon in October this year!
Pet & Pool was excited to get involved as we also believe that proactive sterilisation is the only way to tackle this increasing problem of over-breeding. We know that spaying and neutering pets can increase their lifespan, decrease serious health issues, make them more manageable, and reduce the incidence of canine and feline overpopulation as well as homelessness. Spaying and neutering should be a requirement for responsible pet ownership. Keeping this in mind, the event was also an ideal platform to educate community members on responsible pet ownership. Various animal organisations helped to educate members of the community, including children, more on the benefits of spaying and neutering.
Pet & Pool donated R20 000 towards this event, made possible by our Community Outreach Fund (Garden Route). All our Garden Route branches sold tickets as well, donating another fantastic R14 890 to this cause, with the help of our wonderful and loyal customers! One of our suppliers also donated 100 feeding and drinking bowls that were used to offer food and water from, after the animals came out of surgery.
Did you know?
The breed and general health of your pet will determine when it should be sterilised. Owned cats should sterilise before they are 5 months old as they can become pregnant as early as four months. Owned female dogs should be spayed before they are 5 months old. Male dogs of all breeds, small, medium, and large, should be neutered before they turn five months old. Owned giant breed male dogs who are house pets should be neutered after growth stops, between 12 to 15 months of age due to orthopaedic issues.
The PDSA will gladly provide you with more information if you have any questions about sterilisation and neutering. Contact them at:
Email: pdsagrj@mweb.co.za, Website: www.pdsa.org.za, Tel: 044 8758300
For more news on the event, click on the links below: