On three occasions, my conversations with staff at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA started with two words – “good news” – exclaimed with genuine happiness and excitement. The good news? Three dogs I had met since I partnered with the organisation to raise funds for it by running a 12km trail run had been adopted.
Many of the animals up for adoption at the Grassy Park-based organisation have either been rescued by the SPCA or surrendered by owners who are no longer able to take care of their pets.
Staff and an army of volunteers help to keep the pets healthy and happy until they are adopted into new homes. But before this happens, the animals spend time in quarantine, they undergo health screening, are sterilised and finally, before transferring to the adoption centre, they go for behavioural assessments.
All of this, of course, requires resources, and so I’m taking on the challenge of running the trail run, not only to raise awareness about the animals who are looking for forever homes, but also to raise funds to cover the costs of the services the SPCA provides. My goal is R10 000.
If you are looking to add a “fur kid” to your family, don’t shop – adopt. The SPCA has a screening process to ensure that you and your pet are well suited to each other’s circumstances.
The dog-adoption fee of R710 covers the cost of vaccination, sterilisation, deworming, vet checks, behavioural assessments, a microchip and an ID disc.
To adopt a cat costs R770, which covers vaccination, testing for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukaemia, deworming, vet checks, behavioural assessments, a microchip and an ID disc.
For more information, call the SPCA on 021 700 4152 or send an email to adoptions@spca-ct.co.za
To support my fund-raising campaign, click here or scan the QR code on this page with the Wallet app on your iPhone or any other QR code reader.
Chantel Erfort is the editor of Cape Community Newspapers, which publishes this paper and its 14 sister titles.
