NSPCA NEWSLETTER

E-NEWSLETTER

17 MARCH 2010

REPORTING CRUELTY - PLEASE DO IT DIRECTLY!
Please spread the word that cases of animal abuse/cruelty/neglect need to be reported directly. Two cases were drawn to our attention last week after they had been "posted" on a web site. Many web sites have a facility for reporting crimes and the number of these sites continues to grow. Time is inevitably lost reaching the animals even if the webmaster is sufficiently alert and caring as to notify us. It is impossible to monitor them all or know of their existence.

 

Anonymity or "not getting involved" may be reasons why people take this route. The public is assured that all information sent directly to an SPCA is treated with the utmost confidentiality in terms of the identity of the informant which will always be protected and never revealed.

 

WILDLIFE UNIT

The Wildlife Unit is undertaking inspections in the Eastern Cape this week. Facilities to be inspected include zoos, rehabilitation centres, elephant-back safari operations and predator facilities. The Unit will also be meeting with Eastern Cape Nature Conservation officials to discuss a serious issue concerning caracal being kept in totally unsatisfactory conditions .

You can't be suspicious of a tree, or accuse a bird or a squirrel of subversion or challenge the ideology of a violet. ~Hal Borland, Sundial of the Seasons, 1964

 

EDUCATION - EASTER WORKSHEET

We have designed an Easter Word Search worksheet so that SPCAs can take advantage of Easter to educate children about the welfare of animals. (Did you know that there are over

3 000 references to animals in the Bible?)

 

PIGEON RACING

You will have noticed that a primary area of concern is pigeon racing. While we do not support the exploitation of any animals, we are very pleased by the rapid progress made with the South African Pigeon Racing Organisation (SANPO) in identifying common areas of concern regarding the welfare of their pigeons. We have been invited to address the SANPO Executive Management Committee as well as the members at their national AGM in April.

 

HOW DO WE ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVES OF ANIMAL PORTFOLIOS?

You may be wondering how one goes about improving the welfare in animal-related activities. Our approach is to research as much as we can from the participants of the sport/activity that we are evaluating through observation and by finding out from them what they actually do and why, so that we can identify if and what welfare concerns need addressing, and how.

 

EASTERN CAPE TRIP

Michelle Moll is in the Eastern Cape this week and will be undertaking loft inspections, meeting with key people in pigeon racing, making her expertise as a registered and experienced animal behaviourist available to SPCAs in the area and providing guidance with animal welfare education. Follow her daily activities on Facebook ( www.facebook.com/nspca) and on Twitter ( http://twitter.com/NSPCA_SA) .

 

ARE YOU AN ECO WARRIOR OR ECO TERRORIST?

We all know that our planet is in trouble, and that all animals as well as people and the environment are being directly and negatively affected, and that we will see the loss of many habitats and animal species.

You can substantively reduce the carbon footprint of your vehicle and make a positive difference - it boils down to one thing, slow down. Carbon output is determined by fuel output:- the faster you drive and accelerate, the more fuel you use and the more carbon is dumped into the atmosphere. (Reference: Australian Government website at http://alturl.com/oeps.)

Using 1 litre less per 100 kms reduces the amount of carbon going into the atmosphere, saves money directly, reduces wear and tear, and increases tyre life.

So, if a vehicle is travelling 30 000 kms per annum:-

· Diesel - carbon footprint reduced by 810 kg;

· Petrol - carbon footprint reduced by 690 kg;

· At R7,91 per litre for petrol the amount put back into your pocket would be R2 373, and at R7,60 per litre for diesel, you get to keep R2 280.

Are you part of the problem or part of the solution? YOUR CHOICE

 

DOG POISONINGS

We have observed that some advice is being given on websites that people should not report dog poisonings to the SAPS as they cannot be investigated. This is not true. Dog poisonings must be reported to the SA Police who track trends - information relating to trends and high activity areas are then disseminated to the relevant Community Police Forum (CPF) reservists and patrollers.

 

FOR THE RECORD

Please go to www.nspca.co.za for the full statement on the spate of communications relating to animal cruelty/neglect/abuse being sent by caring people to other South African welfare organisations - only to have the matters referred to ourselves by them. We are happy to do the work. Our point is that unlike 15 or 20 years ago there are now 70 registered animal welfare organisations plus an unknown number of unregistered ones in South Africa.

 

They compete with us for income.

 

One example is a complaint to a South African animal welfare organisation which was given the reply "Thank you for your enquiry and for alerting us to the complaint. The best in this area is to contact the N SPCA in Johannesburg."

We make these statements not for recognition but to emphasise the extent of competition for funding in the context of exactly who does the work. A policy decision has now been taken that from now on the N SPCA will request details of the informant so that we can give feedback directly and make it clear exactly who investigated the matter. Or if the caring person's details are given we shall revert back to that person directly with the outcome of our investigation/assistance/rescue.

 

Until next time

With kindest regards

Chris Kuch