Painless pet ownership with the Roodepoort SPCA

The adoption process of an animal is a responsible, easy process, the Roodepoort SPCA explained on Friday 8 November.

“Adoption is responsible and gets you a beautiful dog or cat at a fraction of the breeder’s price – if you are deemed a suitable owner,” said inspector Emma Oosthuizen. She later took the Record through the entire process step by step.

“I have adopted dogs from this facility, and the process is quite painless.”

She did note however, that residents should be prepared to wait a few days before taking their new pet home.

“We have to ensure that its new home will be safe, secure and what we deem a ‘forever home’ with enough space to play, enough food and lots of love.”

First, residents are encouraged to visit their premises on Nadine Street in Maraisburg to see what dogs and cats are up for adoption. Thereafter, if interest sparks them to do so, they can fill in an application for adoption form at a cost of R50.

“It costs around R600 to adopt a dog and around R550 to adopt a kitten, and mature cats can be adopted for R400.

“This is a reasonable price if you consider the exorbitant prices breeders put on their puppies and kittens as well as what is being done for the dog or cat before it goes home with you.

“The fee includes sterilisation, a microchip, a collar and ID tag (dogs only), the first vaccination, a rabies vaccination and deworming.”

The initial R50 is subtracted from this total amount. Oosthuizen said that the SPCA sterilises their animals before releasing them to their adoptive families to discourage and in fact prevent backyard breeding, which may cause puppies and litters to become homeless and end up starving or in SPCA kennels at such a young age.

“After the application, an inspector will conduct a home visit. This will include a yard inspection to see that the space is appropriate for the animal you wish to adopt, whether shelter is available to the animal, whether food and water are readily available to the animal and, if you already have pets, to see that they are in good health.”

The remaining fee is to be paid after the home visit, should it be successful, after which the animal will be taken to the SPCA hospital on-site to prepare it for its new home. This is where the animal gets its shots and a microchip.

“The entire process takes at least two to three days to complete, and we happily will see another animal finding its forever home.”

To adopt an animal from the Roodepoort SPCA an ID and proof of residence (such as a water and lights bill) should be presented.

For more information, contact the Roodepoort SPCA on 011 672 0448.