- Adoptions
#AdoptDontShop – because every tail deserves a happy ending…
Come Visit Us!
Mon – Fri: 08h00 – 16h00 / Sat: 08h00 – 12h00 / Sundays: Closed / Public Holidays: Closed
The SPCA aims to protect all animals from cruelty, neglect and ill treatment.
Living up to our mission necessitates the work of many different units within the SPCA, which together ensure that animal welfare is upheld.
ADOPT ME!
Animals for Adoption
Browse through our albums of animals waiting for their fur-ever home
Inside Our Adoptions Centre
Of the prospective adopters that follow through with the full process, we have more than a 95% success rate.
The Standard Protocol
Animals need to spend two weeks in quarantine before they are moved to pre adoptions for assessment in the weeks that follow. Here they are vaccinated before they move to adoptions and at this stage, they have passed all physical, behavioural assessments and are ready for rehoming.
Pre-adoptions is where we get to know the pets best. We get quite a bit of feedback from the kennel assistants on the initial behaviours like how animals behave during feeding time and the observations with other pets in their surroundings. Here our first perceptions of the dog-dog interaction and dog-human interaction are formed. As a result, we already know each animal very well by the time they reach Adoptions.
High Volume of Applications
We receive hundreds of adoption applications every month which range from people who are only expressing an interest in possibly adopting to those that are ready to make a firm commitment immediately.
Since the application system went online, our number of applications increased by more than 300%. The online application, however, is basic and we still need to do a full application to meet adoptions criteria.
Strict Adoptions Criteria
We have strict criteria which include the requirement of having all your animals sterilised, and also the need for prospective adopters to be able to afford private veterinary care in case of an emergency as well as a home inspection done by the Inspectorate Department.
All these factors are considered before we book an appointment. These criteria are strict because adopted animals can not create a further burden on the animal welfare system which is already taxed by high volumes. We want our adoptions to be matched right to a forever home. We see so many abuse and neglect cases, so we need to know exactly where the animals are going.
People often don’t fully understand and sometimes view the SPCA as being too strict. We are often faced with the question, why is it so difficult to adopt an animal? Our inspectors work so hard, our hospital works so hard, it wouldn’t be fair to them or the animals if we were to hand out animals to anyone if there is a chance of them returning to the welfare system.
It is also important to match the animal’s needs with the household lifestyle.
A low-energy household can not adopt a high-energy dog.
A family that spends a lot of time on the couch watching TV would not be a good match for a border collie who needs constant stimulation and exercise as an example.
We want to have our adopted animals homed for life, which is why we need to match the intrinsic behaviours of the animal with that of the behaviours and lifestyle of the prospective adopters. Every single animal is different.
The Adoptions Process
Once all the procedural criteria are met, we require an R200 deposit, copy of ID and proof of address whereafter the inspector will visit to do the home inspection to check the environment to ensure adequate access to water, food and shelter as well as assess the condition of current animals.
The inspectors draft a report, if there is anything stipulated in that report, those conditions must first be met (for example, the owner needs to fix a fence or buy an additional kennel).
Of the prospective adopters that follow through with this process, we have more than a 95% success rate.
The unsuccessful applications are more often than not due to the outcome of the meet and greet. These are cases where the adopters have existing dogs who are introduced to the potential adoption to assure they are compatible. If they are not compatible we stop the process. With cats interestingly enough, we have a near 100% success rate as far as adoptions are concerned.
Adoption Process
IMPORTANT ASPECTS FOR RESPONSIBLE GUARDIANSHIP OF COMPANION ANIMALS
The SPCA recognises that many people seek the company and emotional attachment with animals, particularly domestic animals, and encourage a bond between them. However, after adopting an animal, the guardian must act responsibly. The SPCA is opposed to the keeping of any domestic animal by persons who cannot look after them properly. Animals have little choice as to where they find themselves, and it is the owner’s responsibility and duty to ensure that they do not take on any animals that they cannot effectively and responsibly care for.
To be a responsible pet owner it is vital that:
- The decision to acquire a pet is properly considered, which includes what type of animal; the level of care; what would be suitable for the individual or family; etc.;
- The owner can comfortably afford to own a particular animal/s. This should include not only being able to feed the animal adequately, but also be able to afford annual vaccinations; and deworming, including any extra veterinary costs that may unexpectedly occur;
- The owner must have sufficient space for the animal to live a life where it is able to express normal behaviour – no chaining, caging or confining to small, unsuitable areas is acceptable;
- The owner understands and meets the behavioural and social needs of the chosen animal;
- Ensuring appropriate and reliable identification of the animal;
- Training and socialisation of the animal to ensure the development of appropriate behaviour;
- The responsible pet owner also ensures that his property has fencing or walling high enough to make certain the animal is unable to roam and ensures that any holes either in the fencing/walling (or under the fencing/walling) are effectively closed off to ensure that the animal remains on the property;
- The owner must ensure that daily access to fresh, clean water and a correct diet is available for the type, size and age of animal in his care;
- The animal must have suitable weatherproof shelter with a comfortable resting place (blanket/carpeting, etc.) that allows it to get out of reach of unsuitable weather conditions such as heat, cold, wind, dust or rain;
- The animal must be sterilised at an appropriate age. Kittens and puppies can safely have the sterilisation procedure carried out between the ages of 8-12 weeks. It is not necessary for a female to have a litter before she is sterilised. This is a misleading notion that simply results in many unwanted animals being born; and
- A responsible owner will also ensure that they can afford to spend quality and adequate time with the companion animal, which may include grooming, training and exercise.
We strongly suggest that research is done to establish the cost implications with regard to food, vaccinations, monthly de-fleaing, de-worming and vets bills (pet insurance is an option). Carefully consider whether you have the time required to successfully integrate the new pet into your household and the time to spend with your pet e.g. walking, playing and training.
SPCA Adoption Policy
The SPCA is opposed to the keeping of domestic animals by those who do not have the facilities, time, financial means or level of interest to ensure optimal standards of care and husbandry for their companion animals.
The SPCA is opposed to the keeping of indigenous wild or exotic species as companion animals.