A DOG’S STRIFE
Pets get short end of stick as economy struggles
● Jaw, a German shepherd cross, should be in a garden, playing catch with her family. Instead she’s in a cage at the Durban SPCA, hoping to be snapped up by a dog lover.
Man’s best friend, it emerges, has been beaten by South African’s struggling economy, which has resulted in an “unprecedented crisis” at animal shelters.
The information sheet on Jaw’s cage says: “Reason for surrender: can’t afford to keep.” It’s the same throughout the country. Animal rights activists say there are too many pets and not enough homes.
Douglas Wolhuter, spokesman for the National Council of SPCAs, said there had been a “dramatic and sustained increase in animals being surrendered to our societies”.
Frequent reasons are job losses with owners unable to afford vet fees and food costs.
Wolhuter said some pet owners who moved to smaller homes had to give up their animals because of the body corporate rules.
Large breeds such as German shepherds and labradors are more at risk.
Durban resident Chadd Leonard had to take Jaw to the SPCA because of “certain circumstances”.
He would not admit the issue was only financial, claiming his parents had money to care for Jaw.
“It was a hard decision because I loved her. A family I knew gave me Jaw about four months ago. They were moving to a smaller place and could not take her.
“I really do hope that she finds a good home, she’s a wonderful dog,” said Leonard.
Farrah Khan Maharajh, of Feeding the Furballs, an animal rescue organisation, said: “Thirty percent of the time the owners surrender the dogs to the SPCA or rescue organisations.
“Seventy percent of the time the dogs are abandoned at the old property and left to fend for themselves, until someone notices them there.
“There have been occasions when the dogs are too badly neglected when finally found and the kindest thing is to put them to sleep,” said Khan Maharajh.
Caroline Smith, a spokeswoman for Durban and Coast SPCA, said of the 16 000 animals that came into its care last year, a significant proportion were unwanted mostly for economic reasons and accommodation downsizing by their owners.
Since January about 400 dogs had been surrendered, said Smith.
“It puts a lot of pressure on us financially to keep up with the intake. The problem is the overpopulation of pets; there are too many animals and not enough homes.
“Emotionally it’s also hard for us. The dogs that don’t find a home — whether healthy or not — have to be humanely euthanised.
“People take on these animals and they themselves don’t know where they’re going to be living in the next few months.
“They commit to it and it’s huge a responsibility. People are also downsizing, they go to places where they aren’t allowed pets anymore,” she said.
Charnell Ruth, of Husky Rescue KZN, looks after about 50 huskies and husky mixed breeds.
“We have already taken in 10 dogs since the beginning of the year, with another eight waiting to come in. And we have successfully homed only one since January.”
Ruth said that among the most common reasons she was given was that the owners were moving to smaller homes and couldn’t cope financially.
“It is an unprecedented crisis. Rescue centres throughout the country, big and small, are completely overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of dogs and cats left homeless due to these reasons,” she said.
Animal behaviourist John Faul described the situation as “one of the most heartbreaking of all the animal welfare issues”.
He said: “To the dog, who by nature is an extremely loyal animal, this is devastating as they are separated from their pack and in their world that can mean a death sentence.”