A local animal shelter in Stellenbosch is running an adoption promotion to encourage adoption among locals during Prevention of Cruelty to Animals month. The aim of the promotion is to ensure that more animals find safe, loving homes.
This is according to Jessica Perrins, head of fundraising and communications at the Animal Welfare Society of Stellenbosch (AWSS).
A platform for animal welfare
April is globally celebrated as Prevention of Cruelty to Animals month to provide people working in the animal welfare environment with a platform to express the importance of preventing cruelty to animals.
This is according to Keshvi Nair, public relations officer at the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA).
Jessica Perrins, head of fundraising and communications at the Animal Welfare Society of Stellenbosch (AWSS), encouraged animal lovers to join the AWWS’s fight to “protect and be the voice for those who cannot speak” during April, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals month. PHOTO: Karla de Bod
While there is a month dedicated to raising awareness about cruelty against animals, only a small number of people are aware of the campaign, according to Nair.
“Each year we encounter horrific cases of animal cruelty,” said Nair, adding that it is sometimes difficult to comprehend how humans could treat animals in such a way. “The fact that animals are still abused in this day and age is the very reason campaigns such as [Prevention of Cruelty to Animals month] need to be acknowledged.”
Raising awareness by encouraging adoption
Adoption is a measure that aids in decreasing cruelty to animals, as long as “every measure is taken to ensure the rehomed animals go to genuinely loving and caring families and not abusers”, according to Nair.
Many animals found at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) come from abusive backgrounds, making it the SPCA’s duty to ensure that the animals don’t fall into the hands of animal abusers again. This is according to Keshvi Nair, public relations officer of the National Council of SPCAs. PHOTOS: Karla de Bod
The AWSS’s adoption promotion, which includes a decrease in adoption costs, aims to increase awareness of preventing cruelty to animals by encouraging adoption among locals, explained Perrins.
The adoption process: finding a perfect fit
“Most animals that come into our care have never known love or a gentle human touch,” said Perrins. “It is up to us to ensure these animals find true happiness in a loving home, and that the breed rescue remains at the forefront of everyone’s mind when thinking of adding an animal companion to [their] family.”
Microchipping, initial vaccinations, flea and worming treatments up to the date of adoption, and the sterilisation of animals are included in the adoption cost, stated Jessica Perrins, head of fundraising and communications at the Animal Welfare Society of Stellenbosch. PHOTOS: Karla de Bod
AWSS aims to help interested individuals find the perfect pet based on their personality and lifestyle, stated Perrins . The adoption process includes meet and greets at the shelter, discussions about the chosen pet’s needs and fees, and a home inspection.
A new, furry addition
Emily, a calico cat and previous resident of AWSS, recently found a loving home after being adopted by Gerhard Botha, a Stellenbosch local.
“We visited the shelter to play with the animals, but obviously didn’t stick to only playing – when we saw Emily we just had to adopt her,” said Botha. “I definitely encourage people to adopt the animals or at least visit the shelter to play with them.”
“We recommend that, before [deciding to adopt animals], individuals investigate the costs of pet food, grooming and fees at their local veterinary centre so that they are fully prepared for the financial implications of bringing a pet into their home,” said Jessica Perrins, head of fundraising and communications at the Animal Welfare Society of Stellenbosch. PHOTO: Karla de Bod
Read more about what MatieMedia has written about the AWSS here.