On Friday, 25 October 2024, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA alongside the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement: Animal Control Unit, seized animals from Kitty Rescue Care and Rehome, following serious concerns regarding their welfare.
Following the seizure, the SPCA provided guidelines to navigate the ethical practices of a rescue organisation, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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Seizure of the animals followed after an inspection of the centre, which is based in Ruyterwacht.
Upon inspection, the centre was described as dirty, overcrowded and filled with the overpowering stench of ammonia.
The centre was co-housing healthy and sick animals, a practice deemed to be incredibly irresponsible as it increases the likelihood of infectious diseases spreading.
Rabbits housed in the centre were confined to dirty cages with no access to clean drinking water.
The rescued animals were relocated to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA Hospital, where they underwent thorough investigations by a veterinary team.
Diseases with which many the cats were diagnosed included Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (snuffles), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), and Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV). These diseases compromise the immune system of a cat as it makes them susceptible to a wide range of secondary infections, ultimately resulting in a slow and painful death.
The owner of the rescue centre is set to face charges of animal cruelty in terms of the Animal Protection Act.
The SPCA has urged the public to perform due diligence before supporting animal rescue centres.
In order to ensure that a rescue centre is law-abiding and enforces ethical practices, supporters are encouraged to take certain precautions.
This includes visiting the facility in order to directly observe its conditions and reviewing their policies on adoption processes, returns and veterinary care.
Lastly, supporters are urged to read online reviews and success stories and enquire about disease management.
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Picture: Cape of Good Hope SPCA
