Tough times forcing people to surrender or euthanise ‘fur kids’

● Animal welfare organisations say citizens asking for their pets to be put down increased between April last year and March

Tough economic times have forced struggling South Africans to either surrender their beloved pets to animal welfare organisations or have them put down.

The SA Veterinary Council (SAVC) has laid bare the difficulties vets face when they have to put down healthy animals, particularly when the decision is influenced by economic factors.

For Dr Ayoub Banderker, who serves on the Cape of Good Hope SPCA board, seeing abused and maltreated animals daily can take its toll, but “euthanising them to prevent further suffering brings a sense of relief”.

While the number of unwanted pets has increased, the situation is most dire in areas with little or no access to veterinary or animal welfare services.

Veterinarian Dr Thireshni Chetty, a former SAVC councillor, found that with many South Africans struggling in a post-Covid-19 pandemic economy “pets are not a priority over family survival”.

“Euthanising healthy animals is not a pleasant job.

“But if the owner cannot ensure the placement of an animal in a new home that results in the best life possible, then I strongly recommend euthanasia.”

Dr Jaco Jacobs, a retired vet who works with companion animals, said: “If you truly care about life and others it will always be personal.”

For him, “the request to perform euthanasia makes the concept of life and death a direct reality in the daily execution of your duties as a veterinarian”.

National Council of the Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) spokesperson Keshvi Nair said there were many reasons pet owners requested euthanasia.

“When the Covid-19 pandemic had just begun, many people were scared and panicked.

“They believed animals could carry and spread the virus; many people died and their family members could not look after the pets that remained behind.

“Sometimes people move to a different country or property and can’t take their pets.

“The SPCA does not judge anyone for requesting that their pet is humanely euthanised for whatever reason. We respect their wishes.

“Requesting that the animal be put to sleep is far more kind and humane than many other ‘alternatives’ such as dumping the animal in the streets or stoning the animal to death or giving the animal away to a home where it cannot be guaranteed that the animal will be properly looked after.

“There are fates that are far worse than death.

“If, however, an animal is brought in and there are clear signs of abuse, the SPCA will obviously investigate further,” Nair said.

The Durban and Coast SPCA has noticed an increase year on year of owners requesting their animals be put to sleep.

“This spans April 2019 to March 2022. The numbers appear to be improving during this year, since April to date,” Durban and Coast SPCA marketing manager Tanya Fleischer said.

Between April 2021 and March 2022, 2,501 dogs and 226 cats were put down.

However, the numbers dropped between April and August this year, with 975 dogs and 73 cats put down.

“These figures are for all pets. We do not have a record of health conditions or reasons.

“When an owner requests their animal be put to sleep this is their prerogative as the animal belongs to them,” Fleischer said.

“If the owner insists, we have to abide by their request. Rarely do owners bring in their healthy pets to be euthanised.

“They would rather hand them over as unwanted, as this is free of charge.

“Once assessed we will try our best to rehome the animal, but the reality is there are so many unwanted animals and not enough good homes.

“We did notice an increase

‘When the Covid-19 pandemic had just begun, many people were scared and panicked. They believed animals could carry and spread the virus; many people died and their family members could not look after the pets that remained behind’

‘Requesting that the animal be put to sleep is far more kind and humane than many other ‘alternatives’ such as dumping the animal in the streets or stoning the animal to death or giving the animal away to a home where it cannot be guaranteed that the animal will be properly looked after’

in unwanted pets; reasons for surrender were ‘can no longer afford to keep’ or ‘moving and can’t take pet’.”

To encourage the adoption of senior dogs and cats at shelters and save them from being put down, Durban-based creative agency The Hardy Boys came up with a pro bono campaign in partnership with the Animal Anti-Cruelty League.

“Senior dogs and cats in shelters aren’t usually chosen first, but that doesn’t mean they don’t make great companions,” the agency’s associate creative director Sarah Nixon-James said.

“While the bounding puppies and mischievous kittens tend to beat the competition with the cute factor, senior animals are often overlooked despite the special ‘skills’ that make them ideal family pets.”