New Era

WINDHOEK - The festive season is here again and as many might have organised their holidays, which incorporate Christmas and the New Year, rarely do their pets feature in most of their plans.

Due to lack of proper arrangements on the part of pet owners, every year, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has to cater for hundreds of dogs and cats.

The SPCA says the festive season is unfortunately not the best time for pets that are often left alone at home.

The SPCA has 50 kennels for dogs and six communal catteries. According to statistics of the animal welfare organisation, about one third of the animals taken to the shelter are found by their rightful owner, one third can be rehomed while some are so sick, injured or abused that they have to be euthanised immediately.

The society last year took in 1Ã‚Â 221 dogs and 501 cats compared to a record-breaking 1Ã‚Â 336 dogs 601cats in 2006, in comparison to 966 dogs and 371 cats in 2005. In December alone, however, 95 dogs of these 29 puppies were taken in by the society. This figure accounts for 31 surrendered dogs and 3 cruelty case dogs.

The previous year, 66 cats of these 35 kittens were taken in, 21 were surrendered while three were cruelty cases.

The following are some tips from the animal welfare organisation on how pet owners can better care for their pets when they are away on holidays.

- Check references of your temporary pet carer keeping in mind that your pets will be lonely and shall miss you, thus their temporary carer must have their well being at heart. Leave clear written instructions of all daily routines, and any special needs or habits, and procedures to follow in case of an emergency.

- Ensure that all vaccinations are up to date and inform the pet carer of any medication that must be administered.

- Give the pet carer all necessary emergency telephone numbers including the Vet's, family staying in town, all contact numbers, security company, SPCA, Cat Protection Society as well as the City Police.

- Ensure that there is enough supply of food for all animals while leaving some extra cash in case the food runs out.

- Keeping in mind that temperatures soar at this time of year, pet owners should ensure that they have a lot of water out for their animals to drink.

- Inform the neighbours or family staying in town to keep an extra eye on the pets.

- Check that the fence and gates are in good condition to ensure that the animals are safe and secure especially keeping in mind that fireworks at New Year and thunder is very stressful to all animals and they are extremely sound sensitive.

- Always keep an ID tag on your pet or have it micro-chipped and get a licence for your dog.

- Due to the fact that it is rainy season, pet owners should check their pets' bedding, housing and day shelter.

- Sterilise or neuter your animals as this will help alleviate your pet's desire to roam, and having unwanted litter. In case you have unwanted litter, please take the puppies or kittens to your closest SPCA as early as possible when they still stand a chance of being adopted.

- Pet owners who have pools should ensure that their pools are covered with safety pool covers.

- If you cannot assure the safety of your beloved pets in your absence, please consider taking them with you.

- If you are staying home, how about adopting an unwanted pet from your local SPCA?

The Windhoek SPCA is also appealing to the public to assist them find good permanent homes for more than 150 dogs and 60 cats that are in their care.The organisation said orphaned kittens and puppies were taken to them, a situation that needs good foster homes to take care of the unwanted babies. Although Windhoek SPCA takes care of the animals, there is no warm, special care facility. There are numerous Maltese poodles, Maltese terriers, mixed breed dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes and many cats and kittens ready for re-homing.

Being a non-profit organisation, the Windhoek SPCA said it needs the support of the public.

"We would not be able to survive without the support of the public. This SPCA has an open door for all animals in need and does not only care for their own animals but they have also taken on the added task of helping animals all over Namibia by supporting all other Namibian SPCAs," the organisation said.

Animal cruelty that should be reported includes:

- Letting the dog roam in the streets
- Nuisance dogs that could be removed by the City Police
- Unnecessarily beating your dog or cat and causing it harm
- General cruelty to animals
- Detonating fireworks within built up areas without a permit.
- In case pet owners do not know, pets also have freedoms, some of which are:
- Freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury or disease
- Freedom to express normal behaviour, and
- Freedom from fear and distress.

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