This is an Official Statement by the Highveld Ridge SPCA in response to the media statement published by the NSPCA on 12 February 2024
The NSPCA post may be accessed HERE!
1. On the 30th of November 2023 and 1st of December 2023, the NSPCA conducted an impromptu inspection of the Highveld Ridge SPCA (“HRSPCA”) premises in Secunda. In the seven days leading up to this visit, the HRSPCA had received an influx of animals, including dogs, cats and rabbits. This large influx of animals being surrendered and abandoned is common during the holiday period due to members of the public going on holiday and seeking to unburden themselves of their family pets. This was also the result of uncontrolled breeding due to unsterilised animals, a common problem facing all rescue organisations.
2. Upon inspection of the kennels and the cattery, the NSPCA began euthanizing every animal that was not on pre-home status, which was 106 animals in total. This included 57 dogs, 31 cats and 18 rabbits, the majority of whom were healthy, non-aggressive and adoptable. Many of these animals had enquiries for potential adoption. The decision to euthanise these animals was not discussed with the staff or committee of the HRSPCA at any point.
3. One of the reasons cited by the NSPCA as the reason for this mass euthanasia was that there was an outbreak of diseases at the HRSPCA such as the parvo virus, mange and snuffles. They cited a recent educational post made by the HRSPCA providing information on the parvo virus as evidence that there was an outbreak. This allegation was completely false. There were no outbreaks of parvo virus during this time. The post was purely educational, which would have been evident had the NSPCA thoroughly read through it. The HRSPCA regularly posts educational material on various matters in order to educate the public. Additionally, prior to euthanizing these healthy animals, no testing was done to check whether any of these animals were positive for this virus. There is no way of confirming this disease without proper blood tests being carried out. This was used as an excuse for conducting mass euthanasia without doing due diligence.
According to the NSPCA, any puppy or kitten surrendered to the HRSPCA should immediately be euthanized.
4. Every puppy and kitten that was not on pre-home, was euthanized. According to the NSPCA, any puppy or kitten surrendered to the HRSPCA should immediately be euthanized. This is not a precedent that the HRSPCA agrees with. All animals regardless of age, deserve the opportunity to find a good home.
5. As a “kill-shelter”, the HRSPCA is forced to euthanize a certain number of animals per week to prevent disease and overcrowding. The HRSPCA follows the euthanasia protocol, in line with the NPSCA protocol, of humanely euthanizing extremely old, sick or wounded animals, and thereafter, in certain instances and where it cannot be avoided, healthy animals that have struggled to find a home. When the kennels and cattery begin filling up to full capacity, animals may be, where strictly necessary, euthanized (following the same protocol) in order to create space for the new animals that are received on a daily basis.
6. In the past year and a half, the HRSPCA has struggled with the large number of animals being surrendered and abandoned, as uncontrolled breeding persists. The HRSPCA services 18 towns in the Highveld area, which is simply too much for one SPCA.
7. The HRSPCA has also struggled with on-site euthanasia, due to not having a registered Animal Welfare Assistant (“AWA”). An AWA is an individual that is registered with the South African Veterinary Council and is able to carry out humane euthanasia. Without an AWA, the HRSPCA has been forced to rely on private veterinary services to carry out euthanasia. This comes with the associated costs of using private veterinary services, as well as having limits placed on the HRSPCA as to the number of animals that are allowed to be euthanized. The HRSPCA has repeatedly, over the course of a year and a half, asked the NSPCA for assistance on this matter, to no avail. No assistance or solution was offered by the NSPCA, despite repeated pleas for help. The only course of action taken by the NSPCA was to arrive without warning, and carry out a mass euthanasia of 106 animals, no matter their condition.
8. The decision taken by the NSPCA to mass euthanize 106 animals did not assist the HRSPCA in solving the issue of being without an AWA or having access to affordable and regular euthanasia services. Once again, after this incident, the HRSPCA asked the NSPCA for assistance. They did not respond.
9. The NSPCA then returned on the 7th of February 2024 for another impromptu “inspection”. The HRSPCA was not overcrowded, nor was there any disease outbreaks at this time. Nevertheless, the NSPCA euthanized 63 animals this time. The animals at the HRSPCA were well taken care of and those in need of veterinary care were being appropriately treated. The HRSPCA has evidence of such treatment and accompanying veterinary bills, as well as the improvement of the animals’ conditions. The HRSPCA does not subscribe to the belief that animals that are neglected or abused should always be euthanized. It is the belief of the HRSPCA that all animals that can be reasonably treated, should be treated, and given an opportunity to find a good home.
10. With regards to the photos attached to the NSPCA’s statement, the HRSPCA finds it to be a dishonest attempt at misleading the public as to the reality of the situation. Both the dog and kitten reflected in the photos and who were in extremely poor condition, had arrived within a day prior to the NSPCA’s visit (on the 5th and 6th of February 2024, respectively). They were both scheduled to be humanely euthanized due to their extremely poor condition and low likelihood of recovery, and were being kept safe and comfortable until they could be released from their suffering. As the HRSPCA relies on private veterinarians, who can only be booked by appointment, the animals could not be euthanized upon arrival. Nevertheless, they were treated with kindness, care and compassion. To provide no context for those photos, shows a blatant attempt to smear the name and reputation of the HRSPCA.
Mass euthanasia, is never a solution
11. It is not unheard of that animals who have experienced extreme cruelty and neglect arrive at the premises of an SPCA displaying the signs of said cruelty and neglect. Wounds, even with the appropriate treatment, take time to heal. The HRSPCA is willing to give animals that are not in immediate suffering, the chance to recover and heal.
12. The managing committee of the HRSPCA has always been fully transparent with the public regarding both the cruelty cases it receives, as well as its euthanasia numbers. Statistics are published monthly on all social media accounts of the number of animals surrendered, abandoned, adopted and euthanized. This is something that the HRSPCA has been repeatedly rebuked for by the NSPCA. It has long been a point of contention as the NSPCA does not want societies to publish their euthanasia statistics. The HRSPCA believes that it is a tool for creating much-needed awareness and education regarding the reality of overpopulation, overbreeding, cruelty, and neglect of animals in South Africa. Mass euthanasia, without addressing the root of these issues, is never a solution.
13. Due to the actions of the NSPCA, who mass euthanized a total of 169 animals (this done across two visits which took place in the space of three months), the HRSPCA has been issued an eviction notice from its premises. The consequences of their decisions have left the HRSPCA with nowhere to go.
14. Once again, the HRSPCA would like to reiterate that the accusations of cruelty and neglect are false. If any member of the public would like to learn more about the HRSPCA, the unbiased truth is on Facebook. Photos, videos, educational posts and statistics are posted weekly of all the animals within the HRSPCA’s care. The HRSPCA also has a dedicated group of volunteers from the community, who visit on a weekly basis to assist with all manner of tasks. There has never been any sign of mistreatment, neglect or cruelty. The HRSPCA takes its responsibility to the community and to these vulnerable animals, extremely seriously.
Note: Photos attached are only a few of the animals we lost. Not all.
