Cattanach reports on Pet Farm
The SPCA is opposed to keeping exotic animals and pets, and Cattanach explains their inspection.
As promised, Mandy Cattanach, Roodepoort SPCA manager, wrote the Record a press release with her official comment on the SPCA’s investigation of West Rand Pet and Bird Farm premises on Thursday 25 July.
Cattanach declined to comment via telephone after the journalist clarified that the telephone conversation will be recorded for accuracy purposes. Her official response follows.
“On Thursday 25 July the Roodepoort SPCA obtained a warrant from the Roodepoort Magistrates Court to remove animals from the West Rand Pet and Bird Farm.
The Roodepoort SPCA inspectorate had been investigating the West Rand Pet and Bird Farm since the beginning of 2013, according to her statement.
On Wednesday 24 July, as Cattanach reports, “the Roodepoort SPCA was conducting a routine inspection at the pet shop and was later physically escorted off the premises by pet shop staff” whom Cattanach says “refused to sign a warning which pointed out the welfare concerns noted by the inspectors during their inspection of the facility”. This lead to the warrant being obtained, in her reasoning.
“Almost 40 animals were removed from the pet shop, which includes snakes, bearded dragons, other reptiles and ducks.
“The animals were taken to an independent veterinarian who specialises in wild animals and reptiles.
“Charges of animal cruelty will be opened in terms of the Animals Protection Act against the pet shop owner and its staff.
“The SPCA is opposed to the keeping and breeding of wild and exotic animals as pets.”
Senior inspector Jaco Pieterse was quoted in the statement as saying that the SPCA “emphasise[s] the fact that exotic animals do not belong in South Africa as their needs are completely different to our indigenous wild animals”.
