Fransje van Riel, a local pet owner from Constantia, recently took to the Reuniting Lost Pets Southern Suburbs Cape Town Facebook group to share a screenshot of a WhatsApp message that was sent by someone who claimed they knew where her missing cat, George, was.
“It is truly revolting how some people take advantage of people’s grief and devastation”, says Fransje.
George went missing on Friday, November 19 from Klaasenbosch Drive off Brommersvlei Rd in Constantia, wearing a red velvet collar with a bell at the time. He is microchipped and neutered. “One night out, Okay, he has done it before. But not two nights and not be there in the morning. I have done all the recommendations. Please if anyone sees him let me know? I miss my boy!”, Fransje pleaded.
As a rescue from Khayelitsha, Fransje is hopeful that George will remember the days he had to search for scraps to survive, having broken his baby teeth on bones and empty cans in the process. “Please call if you catch a glimpse of him. He is scared of strangers. 082 567 3545”, concluded Fransje.
Meanwhile, the National Council of SPCA (NSPCA) has noticed a number of posts across social media (Facebook and Instagram) where people are asking the public to give their unwanted animals to them. These people never provide an address and will either come and fetch the pet from you or ‘meet you halfway’ at a local shopping centre or petrol station to collect the animal.
The NSPCA urges the public to please refrain from giving their unwanted animals away to strangers on Facebook, Instagram or websites such as OLX and Junkmail. There is absolutely no guarantee that these people will take care of your pets as they promise, and, more often than not, these animals end up in a worse-off condition.
These pets are used for breeding, as bait in illegal activities, or hoarded and neglected. The likelihood of you ever seeing your pet again or receiving feedback about them is slim to none. If you are in a position where you can no longer take care of your pet, please be responsible and take the animal to your local SPCA. The SPCA accepts all unwanted and stray animals, 24/7, free of charge.
“The SPCA will always act in the best interests of each animal and ensure that they are never exposed to cruelty or suffering under our care,” says the NSPCA.
If anyone has seen Franje’s cat, George, please contact her or your local SPCA to assist in getting him back to home and reunited with his owner.
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Picture: Facebook / Fransje Van Riel