The City is hosting another mass sterilisation campaign after its successful pilot project in 2013 saw the sterilisation of 1 800 animals in Dunoon and Brown’s Farm in Philippi. The initiative aims to educate the public of the importance of having healthy dogs and cats to prevent the spread of diseases amongst animals and to humans. Read more below:
Following the success of the pilot project, City Health will roll out their second mass sterilisation campaign on Tuesday 25 February 2014 to coincide with World Spay Day. During the pilot mass sterilisation project in 2013, 1 800 animals were sterilised in Dunoon and Brown’s Farm in Philippi.
The project earmarked for Site B in Khayelitsha aims to sterilise 70% of the cats and dogs within six months. The Cape of Good Hope SPCA received R527 999 from the City Health Directorate to run this project.
The cost per sterilisation is R350. The Western Cape Government’s Department of Agriculture will provide the rabies vaccinations for all cats and dogs sterilised during the project. Five residents sourced from the Subcouncil employment database will assist the welfare organisations during the project.
The project aims to educate the community about general animal welfare matters and owners will receive related literature. In terms of the sterilisation, this project seeks to ensure a decline in aggressive dog behaviour, fewer unwanted litters, improved animal health and welfare, significantly fewer strays and unnecessary euthanasia. Healthy dogs and cats prevent the spread of diseases amongst animals and to humans.
The project is in support of animal welfare and the City’s Animal By-law and its implementation is coordinated by the City’s Environmental Health section.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA was approached to develop a business plan, in consultation with the Cape Animal Welfare Forum and the Western Cape Government’s Department of Agriculture, for this project on behalf of City Health. The SPCA is mandated in terms of legislation to deal with animal welfare and is also a member of the Cape Animal Welfare Forum.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Health, Councillor Lungiswa James, said the project is an opportunity to educate the community about the benefits of sterilising their pets.
‘The City cares about the welfare of domestic pets and animals, especially the ones that are most neglected. This project is part of fulfilling the City’s commitment that started with the drafting of the Animal By-law. We encourage pet owners to make decisions that will benefit the health, behaviour and well-being of their cats and dogs,’ said Councillor James.
The process to be followed:
· Each of the participating animal welfare organisations will be allocated an area within Site B.
· The animal welfare organisation will visit each of the homes in the area and discuss sterilisation with the pet owner.
· An Expanded Public Works Programme worker from the community will accompany the animal welfare organisations.
· The pet owner needs to sign a consent form giving permission for their dog or cat to be sterilised.
· The animal welfare organisations will then collect the dog or cat and a registered veterinary surgeon will perform the operation at the registered premises.
· The dog or cat will also be vaccinated against rabies.
· The dog or cat will be returned to the owner after surgery with instructions as to how to best care for the pet until fully recovered.