footprints magazine
DESCRIPTION
An occasional magazine produced by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA in Cape Town, South AfricaTRANSCRIPT
Cape of Good Hope
Happy Birthday Footprints!
Happy Birthday Footprints!
We speak for, protect and care for animals ISSUE 1, 2013We speak for, protect and care for animals ISSUE 1, 2013
8 Feature - Footprints cele-
brates 20 years of delivering
quality news, pet care tips and
happy tails to its supporters.
10 Fight against cruelty - SPCA
Inspectors on the forefront,
saving lives
12 Feature - Mass Sterilisation
Programme paves the way for
a brighter tomorrow for City’s
animals
3
CONTENTS
ISSUE 1, 2013
EDITORIAL
DESIGN
COVER
PRINTING SPONSORED BY
LISE-MARIE GREEFF-VILLET,
LAMEES MARTIN,
LARA ROBERTSON
PO Box 3, Plumstead,
Cape Town, 7801,
Tel: 021 700 4141
Fax: 021 705 2127
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.spca-ct.co.za
JOAN SUTTON
(021) 712 0101
Photographer - Desire Kohn
Website: www.desirekohn.co.za
Facebook: Desire Kohn Photography
Model - Frikkie
FORMESET
Tel: 021 507 9000
Footprints is published by the Cape of Good
Hope SPCA, and all profits are used to
further the work of this organisation. The
opinions expressed in this magazine do
not necessarily reflect those of the editors
or the management of the Cape of Good
Hope SPCA. While every effort is made to
ensure editorial and factual accuracy, no
responsibility is accepted for any errors.
BANK DETAILS:
Cape of Good Hope SPCA
Standard Bank
Account: 0718 32858
Branch: 051001
Ref: Footprints / your name
Report Animal Cruelty:
A/H Emergency:
www.spca-ct.co.za
Tel: 021 700 4158/9
083 326 1604
Dear Friends
This edition of Footprints marks the
20th year of Cape Town’s favourite
animal magazine. The very first edition
was published in July 1993 and was
sold to supporters at a cost of R3.00.
We are very privileged that things have
changed and that now we are able to
bring Footprints right to your doorstep
at no cost, and we trust that you and
your whole family enjoy sharing in our
animal stories just as much as
Capetonians did 20 years ago.
We have even more to celebrate in
this edition as one of our devoted
staff members share the anniversary
with Footprints, with a 20 year long-
service acknowledgement, and our
Ani-Pals education programme
reaches its 10 year mark. By reaching
the hearts and minds of thousands of
young people, the education team of
three is making a real difference in
the lives of companion animals
throughout the Cape Metropole, and
we share some of their highlights from
the past decade.
All of these successes would of
course not have been possible without
the continued backing from our
corporate partners, sponsors,
volunteers and of course you, our
loyal supporters. Our SPCA Heroes
section gives a mere glimpse of the
many people of all ages, and
corporate supporters who offer their
assistance. Special thanks go out to
everyone who left us in awe of the
mountains of food and blankets
donated in response to our Winter
Appeal.
To support us and stand a chance
to win, read more about our Tails Up
Letter from THE EDITOR
competition on page 5. This
competition just had its first birthday
and has seen 12 lucky winners each
walk away with a whopping R10 000.
Sometimes even we don’t
understand how animals get into the
dangerous situations we find them in,
but we always find a way to help them
out. Don’t miss the tales about two
such unusual rescues, as well as our
story on the 90 pigs that were saved
from a dismal life in Klipheuwel.
Our pet care feature on page 13
guides you through information about
some of the most prevalent infectious
cat and dog diseases that we struggle
with in our Animal Hospital and
Animal Care Centre daily. Never think
your pet is immune - these diseases
can strike anywhere, so please take
the time to read this educational
piece.
As we enter the second half of this
year, you can feel the excitement in
the air as we start preparing for our
big fundraising events such as the
popular Wiggle Waggle Walkathon and
the much-loved Horse Show which
promises to be even better this time
around. If you’ve never attended one
of our big animal events, make sure
to browse through our Wiggle Waggle
and Woefie Wandel photo pages to
see just exactly what you’re missing
out on… and make sure to keep an
eye on our website and social media
pages (@SPCACape for Twitter and
Cape of Good Hope SPCA on
Facebook) for the dates of upcoming
events.
In this edition you will also find
photo pages in tribute to our amazing
Team SPCA challenge fundraisers
13 Feature - Do you know which
pet vaccines are essential?
Prevention is better than cure
14 Wildlife Unit - SPCA saves the
lives of an Africa Wild Cat and a
tiny Cape Dwarf Chameleon
15 Education Update - Ani-Pals
educates 108 000 learners on
responsible pet ownership
16 Two popular Cape Town dog
walks raise thousands of Rands
for less fortunate animals
19 TEAM SPCA members raise
R400 000 through the Cape
Argus PnP Cycle Tour and Old
Mutual Two Oceans Marathon
22 SPCA Bequest Society
members celebrate their love
for animals at the charming
Vineyard Hotel
23 Happy Tails
who, by cycling, running and engaging
in other challenging activities for the
CoGH SPCA, raised more than
R400 000 for our fight against cruelty.
If you are one of those go getters with
a passion for animal welfare, then
please contact us to hear how you
can join our team.
Being part of the SPCA family, you
know that we are all about the happy
endings. That truly is what everything
we do is all about: seeing those happy
wagging tails; hearing the purr of a
content cat; seeing a healthy horse
galloping in an open field; releasing
that Wild Cat that you’ve nurtured
for months, back in to its natural
environment to live out its life - free
and out of harm’s way. And as staff
who are faced with the atrocities we
see each day, we often wish that we
could take all of the animals at the
SPCA home with us and keep them
safe, always. Of course we can’t do
that, but once in a while an animal
comes along that tugs at our heart-
strings to the point where we are left
powerless to resist. In a special
version of Happy Tails we share the
stories of three of these charming
animals with you.
I would like to extend a special
mention of gratitude to my Assistant
Editor, Lamees Martin, who for the
most part coordinated the production
of this very important edition of
Footprints, while I needed more time
to settle in to my new role as
Communications and Fundraising
Manager here at the SPCA.
Happy reading about our precious
creatures!
Lise-Marie
Cape of Good Hope
4 Shop with us - Spoil yourself
or your furry friend while helping
the SPCA
6 Generous giving - see who
goes above and beyond in
support of animals
7 For your Diary - Join thousands
of two and four legged walkers at
this year’s SPCA Wiggle Waggle
Walkathon and saddle up for
charity at the annual SPCA
Horse Show
4
Need to stock up on some good
books for those chilly winter nights?
Then pop in at the SPCA Book Shop,
located on the corner of 1st Avenue
and First Road in Grassy Park, and
choose from a great selection of new
and second hand books.
“We are always in need of
donations of books so that we can
continue to provide a great selection
to our customers. All profits go
directly towards caring for the many
hundreds of animals rescued by the
SPCA”, said Book Shop Coordinator
Natasha Johannes.
For more information contact
Natasha Johannes on 021 700 4155
or email [email protected].
Make a stop at the
SPCA book shop
The MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet
initiative enables charities across
South Africa to benefit from the
purchases of philanthropic shoppers
worth thousands of Rands each year.
And the Cape of Good Hope SPCA is
no exception. Generous card holders
donated R57 895.06 since January
2013!
The support of MySchool MyVillage
MyPlanet doesn’t stop there. So
passionate are they about the welfare
of animals, that this year they joined
SHOP WITH USSpoil yourself or your
furry friends while
helping the SPCA
our fundraising efforts at the 2013
SPCA PURINA Woefie Wandel dog
walk and donated R10 for every entry
received, helping to raise over
R17 000 for the society.
Remember - every swipe counts -
so keep shopping with your MySchool
MyVillage MyPlanet card, and if you
don’t have a card yet, go to
http://www.spca-ct.co.za to sign up
for one today and make sure to
choose the Cape of Good Hope SPCA
as your beneficiary.
Thank you
My School!
MySchool steadfast in support of SPCA
On the day at lovely D’Aria estate, the
MySchool team spoiled three lucky winners
through a lucky draw for fantastic
Woolworths hampers.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s
charity shop, located at the society’s
facility in Grassy Park, turns all your
unwanted goods into much needed
funds to aid in the fight against
animal cruelty. From January to
May 2013, the sale of your second-
hand donations raised more than
R220 000 for the society.
Your ‘junk’, our treasure
“We can’t keep bringing in this
money without your unwanted
clothing and furniture, kitchen and
household appliances, as well as any
bric-a-brac items, so thank you!”,
said shop coordinator Bettie Beukes.
So next time you plan to clean out
your garage or if you decide to
unpack your wardrobe, please
consider donating your unwanted
items to the SPCA. For more
information, contact Bettie Beukes
on 073 302 8099.
Get R20, R35 or R50 off your next purchase of any Royal Canin Feline Breed
Specific cat food with their Top Breed Cat promotion until stocks last. The
discount amount will
depend on the size of the
bag purchased and will be
indicated on a sticker found
on each bag.
The Royal Canin range of
pet food products are
available at the SPCA Vet
Shop in Plumstead. For
enquiries please call
021 761 4463 or email
Thousands of dogs and cats go
missing from homes across Cape
Town every year, and even more
so during the cold winter months
when thunder storms and bad
weather frightens animals,
causing them to flee their homes.
Since the start of winter, dozens
of lost animals have been admit-
ted to the Cape of Good Hope
(CoGH) SPCA in Grassy Park.
Make sure your much-loved
furfriend is properly identified with
these new, high quality resin,
water-proof pet tags, which helps
For each bowl sold
the SPCA receives a
percentage of the
proceeds, which goes
towards feeding all
the many animals in
our care. Get yours
today from our SPCA
Vet Shop in
Plumstead for just
R30. These lovable
bowls are also
available at the vet
shops in Canal Walk, Tygervalley, Garden Centre, The Paddocks, Planet
Woof and Vet + Pet in Edgemead, Somerset West, Stellenbosch and
Cape Gate.
For more information please call Natasha Johannes on 021 700 4155
or email [email protected].
5
ensure that finding a lost pet is
more than possible, and support the
Cape of Good Hope SPCA at the
same time!
A variety of designs and colours
are available and SPCA supporters,
who purchase the pet tag using the
special coupon code SPCA03R5, will
receive a discounted rate of R50 per
tag, postage included.
Order forms and information are
available from our SPCA vet shops in
Plumstead and Grassy Park or visit
www.stuck2u.co.za to order online.
For any queries about these new
SPCA pet tags, email Natasha Johan-
nes at: [email protected]
or call 021 700 4155.
Orders, manufacturing and postage of
these tags are the responsibility of
Stuck2U, available on 083 440 3230
or email [email protected].
Identify and care with trendy new
SPCA pet tagsSPCA heart-shaped ‘friendship’ bowls now only R30!
WIN R10 000 with SPCA Tails Up
SPCA Vet Shop
Cape of Good Hope
All profits from product sales are used to support the SPCA’s mission to Speak, Protect and Care for Animals
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Purrfect savings with Royal Canin
Improve your pet’s mobility with Hill’s
Each month one lucky animal-lover stands a chance to win R10 000
in the exciting SPCA Tails Up competition.
To enter, simply buy 12 competition tickets of R50
each, and each month for the next year you will
be entered into a lucky draw for R10 000!
Our Tails Up Club is limited to 2000 members
only, which means that the odds of winning
is great.
So don’t delay, sign up
today and win!
Email [email protected]
or call 021 700 4168.
Soothe osteoarthritis in
a hop, skip and jump
with Hill's Prescription
Diet j/d that has been
specifically formulated
to improve Canine/Feline Mobility and
relieve the pain of osteoarthritis.
Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d is the
only pet food clinically proven to
improve mobility and reduce
stiffness in animals
suffering from osteo-
arthritis in as little as
21 days. It’s designed
to reduce pain and
inflammation, as
well as slow the
progression of
this debilitating condition. Purchase a
bag of Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d, or
any of the Hill’s Prescription Diet
products at either of the SPCA Vet
Shops, 6 Gabriel Road, Plumstead or
at the corner of 1st Avenue and First
Road in Grassy Park and help less
fortunate pets at the SPCA at the
same time. All profits go
towards supporting the
work of the Cape of Good
Hope SPCA.
Visit:
www.hopskipjump.co.za
for more information on
Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d.
6 Gabriel Road, PlumsteadStockists of all leading pet product brands
Winter Trading Hours:(1st June - 1st September)8h30-17h30 on Weekdays8h30-13h30 on Saturdays
Call 021 761 4463 or email [email protected]
6
SPCA HEROESThe Cape of Good Hope SPCA
recently appealed to Capetonians
for donations of blankets and pet
food with which to properly care
for the animals in their care
during the cold and wet winter
months. Thanks to you, over 400
blankets, 2000kg of dry dog and
cat food and over 3000 tins were
collected since the start of June
2013!
SPCA Resource Development
Manager, Lise-Marie Greeff-Villet
says: “The animals in our care always
come first, and we will never let them
go cold or hungry. This winter, with
the help of the community, we
definitely don’t need to spend
Just some of the
amazing people and
companies who made
a difference
additional funds on blankets and pet
food. This allows us to use what little
funds we do have available to fight
animal cruelty, implement education
initiatives and address core problems
such as animal over-population”.
The CoGH SPCA cares for
hundreds of animals on a daily basis
in its Animal Care Centre and
Hospital, and uses about one ton of
food per week to keep the many furry
tummies full during winter when the
cold weather makes them burn up
more energy. Extra food helps to
meet these demands. If you can help
in any way please contact the CoGH
SPCA on 021 700 4141 or
Huge response to food and blanket appeal
On 6 December, 2012 the Cape of
Good Hope SPCA presented South
African Police Services’ Warrant
Officer 2 Nico du Toit of the
Malmesbury Stock Theft Unit with a
very special SPCA Medal of Honour.
As part of the society’s 100th
centenary celebrations in 1972,
this medal was established for
those who demonstrated
outstanding service and co-
operation in the field of animal care
and protection.
The CoGH SPCA was proud to
present the Medal of Honour to
Warrant Officer du Toit after he
went above and beyond the call of
duty to ensure that those
Going above and beyond
responsible for the theft, torture
and death of Bukshi - a dearly loved
horse - were brought to justice. In
addition to the Medal of Honour,
Warrant Officer du Toit also received
a gift of thanks in the form of a
horseshoe, in memory of Bukshi,
from Bukshi’s very emotional, but
grateful, owner Anthea Myburgh.
Pictured from left is CoGH
SPCA CEO Allan Perrins who
handed over the Medal of
Honour to Warrant Officer 2
du Toit (middle). With them is
Bukshi’s owner, Anthea
Myburgh.
One coin at a timeThe Cape of Good Hope SPCA is grateful to stores throughout Cape Town who
so kindly allow us to display our collection tins on their counters. All the
income collected from the tins contributes considerably to ensuring that the
society is able to continue in its mission to care for all animals.
Below are the top ten collection stores during the period April 2012 to
March 2013. Well done!
Chores for PawsGrade N and Grade R learners together
with their dedicated teachers at Western
Province Preparatory this year again
engaged in their “Chores for Paws”
project, which encourages children to be
helpful in the home and in turn receive
money to donate to the SPCA for each
task completed. This past year these
eager youngsters raised R4127.00, which
went directly to help animals in need and
prevent animal cruelty. Each child who
completed the challenge was rewarded
with a visit to the SPCA and an Ani-Pals
badge, which they proudly wear.
Company Suburb Income
Pick n Pay Express Newlands R 14 882.75
Superspar Sea Point R 10 613.82
Pick n Pay Express Muizenberg R 8 634.61
Kwikspar Kuils River R 8 470.10
Spar Monte Vista R 7 822.24
Neelsie Spar Stellenbosch R 7 368.21
Engen Quickshop Meadowridge R 7 237.20
Superspar Sonstraal Heights R 6 976.51
Fresh Stop Waterfront R 6 892.50
Daffodil Concepts Eppindust R 6 507.75
7
Let’s celebrate International
Animal Week
International Animal Week (4-10
October) is celebrated around the
world and aims to increase
awareness, especially amongst
children, around the importance of
responsible pet ownership and
compassion for all animals.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA
invites schools across Cape Town to
celebrate their love for animals by
participating in various animal-
themed activities before, during or
after this week. ‘Civvies for SPCA’
has been embraced by a number of
schools who allow their learners to
dress in casual wear for a day and
in return for a R5 donation, wear an
SPCA ribbon to acknowledge their
respect and love for animals.
Celebrate International Animal
Week, support the SPCA’s work and
help us to continue to provide
primary veterinary care and
emergency aid to thousands of
helpless animals.
For more information please
contact the SPCA education
department on 021 700 4181 or
email [email protected].
Cape Quarter Book Sale
The SPCA Book Sale will take place
from 6 to 8 October at Cape
Quarter in Green Point between
9am-6pm on Friday and Saturday,
and from 9am to 3pm on Sunday.
Bring a bag of pet food to receive a
discount on your books.
SPCA Horse Show
This year, the 18th annual SPCA
Horse Show will be held at the
Constantia Valley Riding Club
(CVRC) in Brommersvlei Road,
Constantia in October. Watch our
website www.spca-ct.co.za closer
to the time for the exact date and
further details.
SPCA Bequest Society and
Donor Recognition Luncheon
Thursday, 5 December is the date
to diarise for this year’s SPCA
Bequest Society and Donor
Recognition Luncheon. The popular
annual event will take place at the
Vineyard Hotel in Newlands, and
guests can expect an afternoon of
good food, great company and
entertainment. These luncheons fill
up fast and seats are limited, so
please contact Carol-Ann Brand on
021 700 4150 or email
book your seat now.
SPCA Wiggle Waggle
Walkathon
Whilst a date for the annual
SPCA Wiggle Waggle Walkathon,
the biggest dog walk in the
Western Cape, has not yet been
confirmed, please note that this
fun family 4.5km walking event
will take place sometime towards
the end of November or in the
beginning of December. Watch
our website closer to the time
for details.
Diary Dates
A young heart for charity
Biscuits for barks
When the Cape of Good Hope SPCA
visited the Children’s Paradise
Educare Centre in Plumstead in June
2013 to teach the children about
responsible pet ownership, they were
pleasantly surprised by Lance
Goosen-Dart (3) who handed over a
very full SPCA collection tin. Lance
had kept the tin at home and at his
school in the hopes of filling it up for
ACSA, CTIA flying high for education
Grade 1 pupils from Oakley House in Diep River were so looking forward to
visiting the Cape of Good Hope SPCA in May 2013 that they decided to bake
a batch of biscuits for the dogs in our care.
To make these delicious biscuits you can use the same recipe as found in
Kids Magazine, April 2005 edition:
Put 2 cups of whole wheat flour and half a cup of mealie meal into a large
bowl. Make them irresistible with a tablespoon of biltong powder.
Add 2 eggs. Add half a mashed banana. Stir in 2 tablespoons of oil and a
1/4 cup of beef stock. Knead it for 2-3 minutes adding more beef stock if
it’s too dry. Roll the dough out to about 1 cm thickness on a floured board.
Cut into shapes. Place the biscuits onto a lightly greased baking sheet and
bake them for half an hour.
Farewell to an animal angelWim Reinders, who was a loyal and dedicated volunteer at the Cape of Good
Hope SPCA for 10 years, passed away suddenly on 15 December 2012.
Wim regularly assisted our Fundraising Department by sorting books for our
book sales and book shop, counting money brought in from our tin
collections, and lending a hand at SPCA events.
He was always willing to go the extra mile for the animals, and nothing
was too much trouble. We will miss you.
the many fur-pals in the society’s
care.
Said teacher Natalie Goosen:
“Lance would ask all of our visitors or
just raid their purses for their small
change to fill the SPCA tin”. Seen
with SPCA education officers Lucille
Boonzaier and Thembi Nomkala,
Lance can hardly hold his tin, which
collected R102.35 for the SPCA.
Continuing its generous support for the Cape of Good Hope (CoGH) SPCA
since 2008, Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), Cape Town International
Airport (CTIA) generously donated R150 000 to the society’s Ani-Pals
Education and Mobile Clinic programme.
Pictured here at a cheque handover in November 2012 is CoGH SPCA’s
Resource Development Manager Lise-Marie Greeff-Villet, ACSA CTIA General
Manager Deon Cloete and the SPCA’s Carol-Ann Brand and Lucille Boonzaier.
The CoGH SPCA is enormously grateful for the continued support afforded
to the society by ACSA CTIA.
8
owners, and education on animal
matters and the need to expand
awareness will remain infinite.
Leafing through the pages of these
priceless Footprints archives, I also
see how community involvement and
support has increased, how with the
people of Cape Town behind us we’ve
changed animal laws, how our
inspectors increasingly manage to
prosecute perpetrators of animal
cruelty, and how through the years
we were able to find more and more
happy tales. And I find peace in the
realisation that the resources spent
on a publication such as Footprints
is justified as it is an integral tool in
the work we do. Every person
reached, and every single animal
whose life improves accordingly,
makes it worth it.
But it hasn’t always been easy.
Producing, printing and distributing
this magazine to more than 6000
readers requires much human as well
as financial resources. Some of you
will remember that Footprints used to
be printed once each quarter, but
due to financial contsraints has since
2012 become a bi-annual
publication. We are very thankful for
support received from printers, paper
providing readers with a multitude of
opportunities to get out there and
help in our fight against cruelty to
animals.
Reading through 20 years of
Footprints, I found it very interesting
and somewhat worrying that the
same issues that needed to be
spoken about back then, we continue
to have to address today. Articles in
earlier magazines include topics such
as animal-overpopulation and the
importance of sterilisation,
vaccinating your pets, not leaving
your pets in cars, and cases of
neglect and abuse very similar to
what we still experience today. And it
makes me wonder - are we really
making a difference? After 20 years
of asking people to vaccinate and
pleading with pet owners to sterilise
their animals, why are our messages
not having any impact?
Then of course it dawns on me -
every time an animal is adopted,
every time a puppy goes to a new
home and every time a good
samaritan takes in another lost
animal off the street, it results in the
birth of new pet-owner relationships
that have to be nurtured. There will
always be a new generation of pet
when medical treatment is needed.”
“By bringing animal care knowledge
and awareness into your home,
Footprints aims to short circuit this
kind of inadvertant abuse and help
pet owners achive a better
understanding of their animals.”
And throughout the past 20 years,
Footprints has continued to do just
that, and more. The magazine has
been published in various sizes,
designs, colours and moved from
being a subscription magazine very
early on (for the whopping cost of
R3,00 per edition) to a free
publication, but it has always stayed
true to its purpose: educating through
advice and guidelines about animal
care, creating awareness about the
plight of animals in the world around
us, sharing the SPCA story with our
“family” of supporters and friends,
and of course at the same time
Footprints celebrates 20 years in print this month! To our many animal-
loving supporters, this bi-annual magazine is seen as a community
publication and most of them cannot wait to receive the latest Cape
Town animal news, photos and fun delivered right to their doorstep. To
the communications team here at the SPCA the publication also serves
as a fantastic marketing, networking and image building tool as it
provides a well-loved traditional media channel for speaking about the
SPCA and providing exposure to our sponsors and partners.
However, as I open the first ever
Footprints published in July 1993,
and read the inaugural message of
the then Editor and CEO, John Eaton,
I am once again reminded of the true
purpose of Footprints: “Too often the
work of the SPCA is seen as reactive-
either as a policing function to
threaten prosecution in the event of
discovered cruelty, or as a receiving
and treatment centre for animals who
have already become victims of
abuse. These are of course central
functions, but….. we still see it as
our primary function to be proactive,
and…. prevent the mistreatment of
animals. Our experience leaves us in
no doubt that cruelty is most often
the result of ignorance…. and this
ignorance is not restricted to poorer
communities. Pet owners everywhere
fail to feed, house or groom their
pets, and many do not know how or
Footprints
first edition,
July 1993.
Left: The very
first letter
received by the
Footprints team.
Footprints celebrates 20 years By Lise-Marie Greeff-Villet
Autumn
1998
May 2001
Summer 2008
Issue 2, 2011
9
suppliers, designers and distributors
who offer us their best possible rates,
or in the case of Formeset printers,
actually do the printing for us pro-
bono.
The COGH SPCA is committed to
bringing Footprints to you for the next
20 years, and are continuously
rethinking the content offering and
aesthetic appearance so as to make
it the very best of its kind in the
industry and reading pleasure for the
whole family. In keeping with this
approach, you can look out for a
kiddies section that will be
reintroduced in our 2nd edition for
2013, as well as readers’ pet photo
pages and a bit more about the
people who work at the COGH SPCA.
We are also thinking about bringing
back a focus on animal news from
further afield (SA and abroad) and
the Footnotes letters section, but
would love to hear from our readers.
Tell us what you want to see in
Footprints by sending your
suggestions to Lamees at
[email protected]. If you want to
advertise in the magazine, or sponsor
a page, please also let Lamees know.
Happy Birthday, Footprints!
first on those opportunities that
appeal to and interest potential
supporters.
You’ve obviously accomplished a
great deal. To what do you
attribute that success?
My passion and my willingness to
always learn more with regards to all
spheres of animal welfare, thus
continuously increasing my
knowledge and applying what I have
learnt to each new project. I never
assume to have all the answers and
am always open to advice.
What makes working at the SPCA
difficult?
The blatant neglect and cruelty
animals are subjected to. I echo
what Gandhi said “The greatness of
a nation and its moral progress can
be judged by the way its animals are
treated”.
Do you have any advice for
someone interested in this
field/job?
Love for animals is a must. You
must be able to achieve great things
with limited resources, always
maintain a humble attitude and be
willing to get your hands dirty.
What has been your most
rewarding experience working at
the COGH SPCA?
There have been so many rewarding
experiences over the last couple of
years I can't say that one stands out
more than the rest. Believe me, this
job is not all sunsets and roses, but
at the end of the day, whether you
are cleaning cages, administering
drugs, rescuing and protecting
animals, or raising funds - it should
always leave you content in the
knowledge that you are making a
difference to the lives of animals!
can be sold to generate income. The
bottom line is always is finding new
opportunities to raise funds for the
Cape of Good Hope SPCA to aid the
organisation in speaking for,
protecting and caring for animals.
In your current position, what
does a typical day entail?
My days are filled with creative
thinking, strategic planning, research,
drafting proposals, sending e-mails,
making many phone calls, detailed
operational planning and execution of
fundraising events, liaising with
potential sponsors and/or donors,
and lots of admin!
When you started working at the
CoGH SPCA, did you ever imagine
you would work for the
organisation for so long?
No, I never thought I would still be
here to celebrate my 20th year, but I
doubt any other job would have given
me the same satisfaction and feeling
of accomplishment.
What motivated you to get up
every morning and come to work?
My passion and belief that although I
might only play a small part in animal
welfare I am making a difference,
that is all the motivation I need.
What major challenges and
problems do you face on a daily
basis?
One of the major challenges I face is
raising the required funds in this ever
changing economic climate, with
limited resources. There seems to be
an explosion in the number of NGOs
country wide, all needing funds,
which makes the task of securing
funds and/or sponsorships that much
harder. Therefore fundraisers need to
constantly reinvent their fundraising
initiatives and make sure to capitalize
Animal angel gives 20 years of service This July we’re having two big
celebrations as Footprints
shares its 20th anniversary with
SPCA Fundraising Officer,
Natasha Johannes who also
joined the SPCA family exactly
20 years ago. Natasha chatted
to us about her passion for
animals and her journey so far
at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
What inspired you to work for
the CoGH SPCA?
As long as I can remember my
family have always owned animals -
from dogs to chickens, geese and
birds. Animals have always held a
special place in my heart and the
Cape of Good Hope SPCA, with its
long and significant history of
helping animals in and around Cape
Town, seemed the right place for
me to be. Ironically my first memory
of the SPCA was a sad one, when
my beloved dog had to be
euthanased because of an injury he
sustained. At the time I was too
young to understand and was angry
with the SPCA for taking away my
animal. Yet today, I think the many
animals I have had over the years,
would be proud of me for working
for this truly caring organisation.
What roles and/or functions have
you assumed over these years?
I started as an Animal Care
Assistant from which I was
promoted to Kennel Manager. After
being with the SPCA for so many
years I felt though that I could use
my insights to further assist the
organisation and took an
opportunity to move to the
Fundraising Department first as
Fundraising Assistant and thereafter
as Fundraising Officer. I also
completed the intense SPCA
Inspector’s course to increase my
knowledge of the Animal Protection
Act and Animal Handling, however I
have never been out in the field.
What do you do at the SPCA
now?
My responsibilities include planning,
managing and implementing
various fundraising initiatives that
range from challenge fundraising
events, SPCA tin collection
programmes and SPCA book sales,
to developing SPCA branded
merchandise such as Christmas
cards, calendars and pet tags that
Winter 2006
Autumn 2009
Issue 2, 2012
10
Pigs deserve better says SPCAAfter receiving a report of pigs
housed in unhygienic and parasitic
living conditions in the area of
Klipheuwel, Durbanville on 24 May
2013, Cape of Good Hope (CoGH)
SPCA Inspector Mark Levendal,
together with officers from the
city’s environmental health
department, immediately
responded.
On inspection, Inspector Levendal
found approximately 90 pigs and 20
sheep, owned by various local small
scale subsistence farmers, being
forced to live in unacceptable,
parasitic conditions. According to
Inspector Levendal: “The animals
were forced to stand in their own
dung as there were no concrete or
solid surfaces. Animal manure was
not disposed of and proper drainage
was non-existent, causing a terrible
stench of faeces and urine in the air,
with an excessive presence of flies.
Most disturbing was the 15 pig
carcasses scattered all over the area
and near a water stream, which was
possibly contaminating the
Mosslebank ecosystem”.
A written warning was issued to the
various farmers advising them that
the living conditions of the animals
were in contravention of the Animal
Protection Act (No 71 of 1962) and
instructed them to rectify the problem
within a reasonable period of time.
On a follow-up inspection,
Inspector Levendal observed that no
improvements had been made and
was therefore forced to obtain a court
order to confiscate the animals.
However, considering that in reality,
the fate of many of these animals
would be to ending up at an abattoir,
the CoGH SPCA attempted to again
try to find a practical solution to the
problem.
As a result of the SPCA’s guidance,
the owners agreed to sell some of
the animals to better equipped
farmers while others were relocated
to more suitable farms.
Should you witness any animal
cruelty, report it to the CoGH SPCA
on 021 700 4158/59 or after hours
and on weekends to 083 326 1604.
Your identity will not be disclosed if
you choose to remain anonymous.
Above: How the pigs were forced to live.
Below: Pigs, like all animals, deserve to live in a natural and
healthy environment.
A castle, a moat andOn 3 January 2013, the Cape of
Good Hope SPCA received a call
for help to rescue a small cross
breed Terrier dog that was spotted
floating on a bed of reeds in the
moat surrounding the Castle of
Good Hope.
The distressed, stranded animal
was soon saved by SPCA Inspector
Jeronico Josephs, with the assistance
of the Castle of Good Hope that
provided him with the boat which he
11
The core mandate of the Cape
of Good Hope SPCA is the
prevention of cruelty to animals.
Help us in our mission to care
for and protect all animals by
reporting those who mistreat them
to 021 700 4158/59 or after
hours and on weekends to
083 326 1604. Your anonymity is
guaranteed.
So, what should you do if you
witness or hear of animal
cruelty?
Each case is different, and specific
action does not necessarily apply
in every case. In general, this is
what you should do:
l If the cruelty is something that
can be stopped immediately,
then stop it. If, for example, a
horse or a dog is being
unmercifully beaten, intervene if
you can safely do so.
l However, the sort of person who
would mistreat an animal in this
way would be likely to vent his
anger on anyone who interferes,
and members of the public
should therefore use their
discretion. In that case, rather
call the authorities.
l Few occasions arise when a
camera is readily available, but if
there should be one, photo-
graphs and videos are useful
evidence.
When reporting animal cruelty,
please remember that in order
for SPCA Inspectors to respond
effectively, they require the
following information:
l Your own name, address and
telephone number. This is
necessary for record purposes
and also enables the Inspector
to obtain further details and to
inform you of the result of their
investigation.
l The address and wherever
possible, the name and contact
details of the alleged perp-
etrators involved.
l The date, time and physical
address where the incident
occurred. The exact address
assists in ensuring an
unhindered response.
l The registration number and
description of any vehicle
involved.
l You may be asked in certain
cases if you would be prepared
to testify in a court of law.
This information assists the
Inspectors in having detailed
insight into the situation they will
be dealing with.
Once the relevant information is
obtained, an SPCA inspector will
conduct an investigation and
depending on his/her findings, will
either issue a warning, educate the
owner in the best interests of the
animal, or confiscate and rehome
the animal wherever possible.
Where necessary, charges of
animal cruelty will be laid against
the perpetrator under the Animals
Protection Act (No 71 of 1962).
We need nosey neighbours!
What goes up must come down!
R P T SEE OR ABU :
0 1 0 41 52 70 58/ 9
H 8 2 16A/ :0 3 3 6 04
Cats are generally inquisitive animals, a trait which often gets them
into trouble. Like this cat, who got stuck up an eight metre high tree in
Oranjezicht on 5 May 2013.
Luckily for this feline, a member of the public heard his cries for help and
contacted the Cape of Good Hope (CoGH) SPCA.
Two SPCA inspectors, equipped with a 12 metre ladder, braved the heights
to rescue the dark Tortoiseshell male cat named Oscar. The curious cat was
reunited with his relieved owner, who wasn’t even aware that her beloved pet
had gotten up to mischief! On average the Cape of Good Hope (CoGH) SPCA
responds to two reports of cats up trees per week.
needed to get him to where the
animal was trapped. “She was very
scared but appeared happy to be
safe in the boat with me”, said
Inspector Josephs.
How the animal managed to get
stuck in the middle of the castle’s
moat remains an unsolved mystery.
The dog, now known as Aqua, soon
found her happily-ever-after when she
was adopted by Paul Louw of
Stellenbosch. (Pictured right).
a dog in distress
12
Each year thousands of
animals face an uncertain
future in shelters because
there are not enough suitable
homes. Untold amounts of
puppies and kittens are left to
fend for themselves on the
streets of Cape Town, and
hundreds of unwanted animals
are abused and neglected
every day. And each day we
struggle with the question:
What is the solution to these
devastating realities?
It’s undeniable that focused
sterilisation (coupled with
humane education and law
enforcement) is one of the most
effective and humane methods to
help address the problem of
uncontrolled breeding and pet-
overpopulation, which will in turn
alleviate the euthanasia and
abuse of unwanted animals.
Over the past six months, the
Cape of Good Hope SPCA,
together with the Cape Animal
Welfare Forum (CAWF)
implemented two mass animal
sterilisation pilot projects in the
City to address these issues.
The primary objective of these
mass animal sterilisation projects
was to sterilise at least 70% of
the areas’ intact pets within six
months, which equates to one
breeding cycle.
Partly sponsored by the City of
Cape Town and Western Cape
Department of Agriculture, these
projects resulted in thousands of
dogs and cats - including most
free roaming, stray and feral
animals in Du Noon and Brown’s
Farm - being neutered, spayed
vaccinated, dipped and
dewormed. The CoGH SPCA also
invested in humane education by
visiting schools in the areas,
putting up educational posters
and distributing fliers about the
benefits of sterilisation.
“With fewer unwanted animals
being born, we hope to see lower
STERILISATION brings about positive change in the city
levels of animal cruelty and
abuse and knowing that we are
instrumental in the fight against
cruelty by sterilising as many
animals as possible, leaves us
with a sense of accomplishment
of which we can all be proud. We
are hopeful that similar
initiatives, which help eradicate
neglect and cruelty, will continue
throughout the Western Cape
and we look forward to our con-
tinued role therein”, said Cape
of Good Hope SPCA CEO and
Chairman of the Cape Animal
Welfare Forum, Allan Perrins.
Although these projects placed
much strain on the resources of
all participating animal welfare
organisations, great success was
achieved with almost 300 cats
and dogs sterilised in Du Noon
and more than 1 500 in Brown’s
Farm.
“We are enormously grateful
for the support and assistance
received from everyone who
helped us to achieve sustainable
results through a collaborative
effort, and we hope that these
were the first in many such
projects to be undertaken
throughout the Western Cape”,
said Perrins
13
PREVENTION
IS BETTER THAN CURE
According to Cape of Good Hope
(CoGH) SPCA Veterinarian Dr Hakart
Avalon, the most common infectious
diseases to vaccinate against in
dogs are:
Parvo-virus
Canine Parvo-virus is an extremely
contagious disease transmitted by
oral contact with infected faeces and
can live on the surfaces of shoes,
clothing, food and water bowls,
bedding and toys. Symptoms include
lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting
and bloody diarrhoea.
Distemper
Canine Distemper affects a dog’s
respiratory, gastrointestinal and
central nervous systems as well as
the conjunctival membranes of the
eye. The virus is passed through
direct contact with fresh urine, blood,
saliva, via sneezing, coughing and
sharing food and water bowls. Watch
out for mild cold-like symptoms,
preceded by thick mucous discharge
from the nose or eyes with coughing
and sneezing, lethargy, vomiting and
diarrhoea.
Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is a highly contagious
infection, which causes inflammation
of a dog’s voice box and windpipe.
It’s a form of bronchitis (similar to a
chest cold in humans). Symptoms to
look out for are a persistent, forceful
cough, sneezing, a runny nose or eye
discharge.
Infectious Hepatitis
Infectious hepatitis is a serious viral
infection, most often seen in dogs
less than one year old. It primarily
causes damage to the liver and dogs
catch this disease by inhaling or
eating the virus present in the urine,
nasal and eye secretions of infected
dogs. Symptoms include fever,
vomiting, diarrhoea, lack of appetite,
lethargy, nose bleeds, rapid
breathing and seizures.
Chlamydia
Feline chlamydia in cats is caused
by bacteria and is seen as
conjunctivitis. Cats are infected
through contact with infected cats,
food bowls, bedding, litter trays and
their owner's hands. Symptoms
include swelling of the conjunctiva
(tissue around the eye), redness of
the conjunctiva (pink eye), tearing,
squinting, and discharge from the
eye.
Feline Calicivirus
Feline Calcivirus infection is a
common respiratory disease in cats.
The disease is acquired after coming
into contact with other infected cats
such as in multicat households,
shelters, and in poorly ventilated
catteries. However, because the virus
is resistant to disinfectants, cats may
come into contact with it in almost
any environment. Symptoms include
loss of appetite, nasal discharge,
ulcers on the tongue, nose, or around
claws, difficulty breathing, lameness
and fever.
Rhinotracheitis
(Feline Herpes Virus)
Feline Herpes Virus is the most
common cause of upper respiratory
disease in cats, especially in multicat
households. The virus is spread via
oral and respiratory secretions of
infected cats, contact with infected
food and water bowls, litter trays and
bedding. Symptoms include sneezing,
nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, loss of
appetite and depression.
Rabies
Rabies is a severe and often fatal
disease that affects a dog’s brain and
central nervous system. The virus can
be transmitted by the bite of an
infected (rabid) animal, but also
through exposure to infected saliva.
Symptoms can range from shyness
and strange behaviour, to aggression
and paralysis in the head and neck
area, which results in an inability to
swallow, excess salivation or ‘foaming
at the mouth’, and eventually
respiratory distress. Sadly, death
soon follows. It is compulsory to
vaccinate against Rabies under South
African law.
Cats are very good at hiding disease
and by the time a cat displays the
signs of illness, it may be severely ill.
Dr Avalon recommends vaccinating
against:
Feline Panleukopenia Virus
(Parvovirus)
Feline Parvovirus is a highly
contagious viral disease and because
the virus is everywhere in the
environment, virtually all cats are
exposed to it at some point. Signs of
Feline Parvovirus include depression,
loss of appetite, high fever, vomiting,
severe diarrhoea, nasal discharge
and dehydration.
Do you know which vaccines
are essential to the health of
your beloved pet? Are your
pet’s vaccines up to date?
Animals, just like humans, suffer from a range of infectious diseases.
The CoGH SPCA Hospital and the other veterinary facilities in Cape
Town, treat hundreds such cases each year, and no companion animal
should be seen as completely safe against the sometimes deadly
effects thereof. Vaccination remains the single most effective method
for protecting against infectious disease in healthy animals.
Kittens and puppies should be
vaccinated from the age of six weeks.
Boosters are given at 12 weeks of age
and usually annually on recommendation
of your veterinarian. Rabies vaccinations
are given at nine and 12 weeks, with
boosters every three years.
“The staff at our hospital have first-
hand experience of the despair that
sicknesses such as these can cause to
dogs and cats, and to those that love
and care for them. Vaccinating your pets
is the most responsible thing to do and
without it, consequences could be fatal”,
said Dr Avalon.
Rabies
Rabies is an inflammatory infection
that affects the gray matter of the
cat’s brain and its central nervous
system. Rabies is transmitted via the
bite of an infected cat and its
symptoms includes pica, seizures,
paralysis, a dropped jaw, unusual
shyness or aggression, excessive
salivation or frothy saliva, constant
irritability and changes in behaviour.
Feline Leukemia
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)
commonly causes anaemia or
lymphoma and suppresses the
immune system. FeLV is passed from
one cat to another through saliva,
blood, urine and faeces. Grooming or
fighting are common ways in which
the infection can spread. Symptoms
include pale gums, white eyes, yellow
colour in the mouth, weight loss,
poor coat condition, lethargy,
diarrhoea and difficulty breathing.
Feline Immunodeficiency virus
(Feline AIDS)
Feline AIDS or FIV is an infectious
disease caused by a retrovirus, and is
similar to the HIV virus in humans.
Feline AIDS can be caused through
bite wounds or scratches by an
infected cat, sexual transmission or
passed on to kittens at the time of
birth. Symptoms include weight loss,
poor coat condition, diarrhoea,
anaemia, bad oral hygiene, infections
of the skin, eye, urinary tract and
respiratory tract, as well as cancer
(sudden lymphoma).
14
In February, the Cape of Good
Hope (CoGH) SPCA Wildlife Unit
received an unusual patient to its
short-term care facility. A tiny
adult Cape Dwarf Chameleon,
which is found throughout Cape
Town, had its front toe accident-
SPCA - there for animals, big and smallally cut off while a Wynberg
resident was pruning the hedges
in her garden.
The animal received the necessary
treatment and after two weeks of
t.l.c, was released at the Kenilworth
Racecourse Conservation area.
In November 2012, while hiking in
the Greyton Nature Reserve, a
staff member of the City of Cape
Town Biodiversity Unit came
across an African Wildcat that
appeared to be ill.
The animal was immediately
brought to the Cape of Good Hope
(CoGH) SPCA’s Wildlife Unit in Grassy
Park for examination by an SPCA
veterinarian who diagnosed the young
adult male with Biliary, also known as
Tick Bite Fever.
Dedicated wildlife unit Inspector
Megan Reid placed the animal under
24-hour observation in high care
within the unit. Determined to see
the animal recover, Inspector Reid
administered electrolytes and fluids
every hour for 24 hours, and the
animal was placed on a high iron
diet with food provided every two
hours.
Thanks to the care and
compassion of Inspector Reid, and
two months of dedicated treatment,
the African Wildcat recovered fully
and gained sufficient weight to allow
his release back at the Greyton
Nature Reserve.
“It was a very special moment for
the wildlife unit team to see this
beautiful creature, which had been
on death’s door not too long ago,
running free once more. We’re
confident that this wild cat will go on
to live a long and happy life back in
the wild”, said Inspector Reid.
Back into the wild
If you come into contact with
injured or displaced wildlife,
whether big or small, contact
the unit on
021 700 4158/9 during
office hours or on
083 326 1604 after hours,
weekends and on public
holidays.
15
First launched in 2003, as a result
of a significant commitment by
the Cape of Good Hope (CoGH)
SPCA to invest in humane
education, the society’s Ani-Pals
Education and Mobile Clinic
Programme reaches thousands of
young learners across Cape Town
each year (15,692 in the last
financial year). Ani-Pals teaches
children about responsible pet
care, promotes compassionate
behaviour and also advocates the
sterilisation of pets.
An extended version of the
programme is also rolled out to 11
schools in impoverished communities
each year. The team spends three
weeks at each of these schools - first
educating the learners on pet care,
and then encouraging them to admit
their pets to the education mobile
clinic to be sterilised.
The programme targets Grade
R - 5 learners and its objectives are
threefold, namely to:
1. Educate children on the five basic
pet care guidelines to prevent
animal cruelty;
2. To improve the health of our
communities by encouraging
learners to keep their pets healthy
and prevent the transmission of
animal to human health diseases,
(i.e. worm infestation and skin
diseases caused by mange);
3. To inspire compassionate
behaviour by demonstrating to
children that animals feel pain and
should be loved and cared for, just
as people deserve to be treated.
May 2013 marked the 10th
anniversary of SPCA’s Ani-Pal
Education Programme. Education
Manager Lucille Boonzaier shared a
few of the highlights and successes
of the programme over the past
10 years:
2003 In an effort to address the lack
of education in disadvantaged
communities, which is a major
cause for the neglect and
abuse of animals within these
communities, the SPCA
approached a top marketing
company for assistance and
the idea of the Ani-Pals Educa-
tion Programme was born.
2004 The National Lotteries Board
granted the SPCA further
funding to continue the
programme.
2005 The programme was revised
and the puppet show was
translated into Xhosa, English
and Afrikaans.
2006 The CoGH SPCA was invited
to attend the WSPA 2006
workshop in Dar es Salaam to
share its experience and to
increase its effectiveness.
2007 Ani-Pals Education programme
was awarded top honours by
WSPA, which considered
animal welfare educational
programmes from
organisations in 90 countries.
2008 The Foschini Group provided
the programme with funding
towards a Xhosa speaking
educator to better educate
Xhosa speaking learners.
2009 Ani-Pals Education programme
was awarded the ‘Outstanding
Contribution to Environmental
Education in the City of Cape
Town’ by the city’s
Environmental Resource
Management Department.
l Ani-Pals received an award of
recognition from Sid-G-Rule
Primary School in Grassy Park
for making a significant contri-
bution to the development of
the community.
2010 The National Lotteries Board
approved the CoGH SPCA’s
request for funding for the
redevelopment of the
programme.
2011 Funding is fully expended in
the redevelopment of the Ani-
Pals Education programme to
incorporate classroom activity
booklets approved as
curriculum based for
foundation phase learners by
the Western Cape Education
Department.
l Two new puppet shows were
created to speak to learners
from different socio-economic
backgrounds in English and
Xhosa.
l Barloworld Toyota Western
Cape generously contributed
R120, 000 to the Ani-Pals
Education programme.
l The new redeveloped Ani-
Pals Education Programme
was officially launched by the
Premier of the Western Cape,
Helen Zille on the 6
September 2011.
2012 The CoGH SPCA Ani-Pals
Education programme was
awarded R150,000 from
Airports Company South Africa,
Cape Town International Airport
for the reprinting and repairing
of the tools of the programme.
To date, more than 108 000 learners
received education on responsible
pet care and over 6000 sterilisations
have been performed thanks to the
SPCA Ani-Pals Education and Mobile
Clinic Programme.
Ani-Pals reaches 108 000 learners over 10 years!
16
Every step
Cape of Good Hope SPCA CEO, Allan Perrins receives a generous contribution from
Pick n Pay’s Marketing Manager (Western Cape), Mark Jennings.
Photo
by A
nge
lo M
arsiglia
Photo
by A
nge
lo M
arsiglia
Thousands of two and four legged walkers took part in the Pick n Pay SPCA Wiggle
Waggle Walkathon, Cape Town’s largest dog walk.
Right: Kistenhof residents Zara and Donelle Barthus with dog Lula, and
Dylan and Tauriq Barthus with dog Cody enjoyed their morning walkies.
17
counts Photo
by S
imone M
ilward
The family-friendly
4.5 km walk was
thoroughly enjoyed
by all.
Jade Myburgh from Goodwood with best friends Echo and Harley.
Photo by Andrew Waltman
Photo by Angelo Marsiglia
Right: Good Hope FM
presenter and event MC,
Guy McDonald, and
Natalie Damain-Harris
of Bergvliet with her
dog George.
In the last year, two and four legged
walkers from all over Cape Town went
walkies for the Cape of Good Hope
(CoGH) SPCA and helped to raise thou-
sands for the many homeless, injured and
abused animals they rescue and care for.
For the 18th year running, the iconic
Pick n Pay SPCA Wiggle Waggle
Walkathon, which took place on 2
December 2012, attracted almost
2000 walkers and their dogs of all
shapes, sizes and breeds.
“It was a pawsome morning out,
filled with happy barks and wagging
tails at the Cape Academy of Maths,
Science and Technology in Tokai”,
said Lise-Marie Greeff-Villet,
Communications Manager for the
CoGH SPCA.
The day started at 9am with
popular radio presenter Guy
McDonald from Good Hope FM who
got the crowds geared up at the start
line for the fun, family 4.5km walk
through the leafy suburb of Tokai.
Walkers meandered their way along
the circular route through Firgrove
and Soetvlei roads and finished back
at the school at around 11am where
they enjoyed a variety of food and
beverages. Many participants also
walked away with give-aways from
Pick and Pay and other generous
sponsors.
Children were treated to face-
painting, fun rides and other kid’s
activities, while the dogs - after
being well exercised - cooled off
under shaded tents and took a dip in
the large water baths provided.
“Thanks to the support of
generous event sponsor Pick n Pay,
and media partners Good Hope FM,
and Super Sports Let’s Play, we were
able to raise almost R120 000
which will go directly to helping the
CoGH SPCA prevent animal cruelty
during the festive season and
beyond”.
18
On 24 March 2013, the winelands of
the northern suburbs were bustling
with happy barks as 1 223 walkers and
971 dogs set off on the annual SPCA
PURINA Woefie Wandel.
This year the increasingly popular walk
was staged at the picturesque D’Aria Wine
Estate in Durbanville. Crowds were
welcomed by event MC, actress and TV-
presenter, Vicki Davis who, along with her
energetic Collie, Jonathan, encouraged
walkers as they set off on the family-
friendly 2km meander through low lying
vineyards, while other walkers opted for a
more challenging 4km route.
After the walk many people stayed on
to enjoy wine and delicious eats while their
dogs cooled off in the numerous water
baths. PURINA and MySchool provided
fantastic prizes to the winners of various
lucky draws and fun competition categories
such as the biggest dog, smallest dog,
loveliest dog couple, cutest dog, and most
heart-warming SPCA rescue dog story.
Our thanks also to media partners Radio
Tygerberg, Super Sports Let’s Play and the
Tyger Burger for their support.
Hendrick and Kelly Smith from Sunningdale Parklands with Ella, Oscar and Ollie.
Photo
by A
nge
lo M
arsiglia
Hundreds of excited two and four legged walkers set off on this year’s SPCA Woefie Wandel.
Photo
by S
imone M
ilward
Right: Abie
Collins
from
Goodwood
with his
dog, Seven.
Photo
by S
imone M
ilward
Photo
by A
nge
lo M
arsiglia
Skyla with dog Oortjies, chats to Vicky Davis.
Relaxing after a pawsome walk!
Photo
by D
esire
Kohn
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A dedicated group of 93 cyclists
and 22 runners proudly suited up
in their Team SPCA gear to
participate in the Pick n Pay Cape
Argus Cycle Tour and the Old
Mutual Two Oceans Marathon in
March 2013. Together the Teams
raised over R400 000 for the
Cape of Good Hope (CoGH) SPCA
and the many animals the Society
rescues and cares for in Cape
Town.
Team SPCA members spent
months raising funds through events,
taking on sponsored training challen-
ges, and encouraging their friends
and family to support them by donat-
ing to the CoGH SPCA through online
fundraising websites such as Do It for
Charity: www.doit4charity.co.za or
direct deposits.
Each member was required to raise
a minimum of R2 500, but many far
exceeded the expectations of SPCA
Challenge Fundraising Coordinator
Natasha Johannes who said, “We
were blown away by the dedication
and generosity of our Team SPCA
members, many of whom raised
much more than the required amount
and some as much as R20 000.
Each team member truly believes in
our mission to speak for, protect and
care for all animals and this was
evident in their participation”.
Special thanks go to Bayer and
Ultra Dog for sponsoring the cycling
shirts and to New Balance for their
sponsorship of the running shirts.
Team SPCA raises thousands for Cape Town’s animals
Some of the 93 Team SPCA cyclists.
20
Interested in making your race count for
more? Sign up now to raise funds for the
SPCA by cycling in the Cape Argus Pick n
Pay Cycle Tour and/or running in the Old
Mutual Two Oceans Marathon in 2014.
To find out more contact Natasha Johannes
on 021 700 4155/41 or email
Carol-Anne (Cally) Kühne
- TOP FUNDRAISER
Colleen Harrison
Terry-Ann Jacobs
Hester Oosthuizen
Carin Gouws ( Swanepoel)
Greta Geerts
Marius G Becker
Deon Pieterse
Ida-Marie Dubber
Morne Viljoen
William Murdoch Trengove
Sedick Adams
Pierre Hugo Burger
Mark Penter
Marike Brits
Rian Moolman
Shaun Rimer
Juan Slabbert
Carl Werner Rohwer
Emma Kate Rohwer
Annatjie Van Rooyen
Stephan Van Rooyen
Milton Impey
Elenora Lubbe
Brett Cownley
Jacobus Christiaan Otto
Andries Van Heerden
Linelda Hiscock
Matthew Harvey
Luke Harvey
Diego Baptista
Justin Edwards
Leigh McLaren
Talton Cooke
Justin Cohen
Jason Ramon Vavatzanidis
Angelo Zanetti
Anje Barnard
Roche Nicholson
Angela Woodward
Jennifer Wallace
Karin Hannweg
Ronald Van Damme
Pierre Mostert
Talitha Venter
Luke Brauteseth
Clayton Coetzee
Gregory Hosken
Adam Olivier
Deon Koen
Zuhayr Harricombe
Sumarie Roodt
Brett Griffin
Reginald Meintjes
Andri Coetzee
Friedrich Strey
Neil Cochran
Bryan Jones
Antoinette Gervais
Van Staaden
Riaad Khan
Shahad Khan
Melvin Margro
Bradley Van Staaden
Mario Venter
Izak Fourie
Travers Summers
Peter Van Zyl
Frank Molteno
Eric Gous
Adriaan Nel
Roland Croxford
Linda Croxford
Mark Raa
Warren Hickinbotham
Lafras Uys
Stefan Uys
Jessica Vosloo
Zelda Vosloo
Dave Roberts
Petronel Van Rhyn
Elmare Botha
Jess Robinson
Leah Thompson
Chanelle Nandi Birch
1321
Pick n Pay Cape Argus Cycle Tour Team
Natalie Irwin
- TOP FUNDRAISER
Cornelia Hutchinson
Gary Hopkins
Lloyd Jacobs
Sue Ullyett
Tamara Rainsford
Angela Merrifield
Claire Davidson
Christy Watson
Sarah Smith
Theresa Isaacs
Jean-Mare Sanetra
Frances Barrat
Megan Pentz - Klutys
Kirsten Maartens
Rachael May
Michelle Van Aardt
Brigette Bowler
Eric Von Bratt
Nicole Leroy
Lezel Wethmar
Lizzy Strauss
Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon Team
Minnie Elizabeth Birch
Liezl Human
Riaan Veldtmann
Donnè Deacon
Leslie London
Dr Gordon Greeff
Charming afternoon
at SPCA luncheon
Diarise now!o
f
C me share in the festive cheer and celebrate your love or animals
gn
at the SPCA Bequest Society and Donor Reco ition Luncheon on
r 2y o
5 Decembe 013 at the Vine ard Hotel. B okings are open to members
e S y h
of the SPCA B quest ociet and t eir friends and family. Seats are
4
limited so please contact Carol-Ann Brand on 021 700 150 or email
ae
bequestofficer@spc -ct.co.za to book your s at today.
The annual SPCA Bequest
Society and Donor Recognition
luncheon, held on 6 December
2012 at the Vineyard Hotel in
Newlands, was abuzz with
smiles and cheer between like-
minded individuals who belong
to a very special family of
animal lovers known as the
SPCA Bequest Society.
Bequest Society members who
all have pledged a legacy to the
Society, and their guests, gathered
for some fine dining and
entertainment to celebrate their
commitment to helping the SPCA
in its mission to care for and
protect all animals.
The afternoon was spent
watching a spellbinding display of
agility and grace from the Zip Zap
Circus School artistes who
performed juggling acts and
delivered a jaw dropping act on the
Cyr wheel. Thereafter guests fell in
love with Bear, the SPCA Royal
Canin Mutt of the Year 2012, who
together with his owner Lee-Ann
Curtis-Cox, demonstrated the pre-
cious bond that can exist between
an adopted animal and its owner.
Warrant Officer 2 Du Toit of the
Malmesbury Stock Theft Unit was
presented with an award in
memory of Bukshi, a horse who
died as a result of horrendous
cruelty in 2010. Warrant Officer
Du Toit was honoured in this way
to thank him for going above and
beyond the call of duty to ensure a
criminal prosecution against
Bukshi’s persecutors.
The afternoon ended with a
raffle of donated prizes. Special
thanks to the following sponsors
for helping to make the event such
a success: The Vineyard Hotel,
Congress Rentals, The Cake
Decorators Guild (Fish Hoek),
Bartenders Workshop, Kurt
Schlechter, Lorna Hepple, Jacqui
Symmonds of Jacqui’s Salon,
Progress Lighting, Ingrid
Heydenrych, Gail Vorster, Desiree
Damon, Doreen Flanagan, Val
Hallack and Janet Millar-Watt.
Jacobus Claasen and Phelelane Ndakrokra from Zip Zap Circus School perform a double act on the Cyr wheel.
Lucky draw prize winners
Left: Lee-Anne Curtis-Cox and the SPCA Royal Canin Mutt of the Year 2012, Bear.
Right: Wine Sponsor Etienne Schlechter
and wife Lisa.
SPCA CEO Allan Perrins, SPCA’s Carol-Ann Brand, and new members to the Bequest Society, Janet Millar-Watt.
and Dr. James Liddell
22
Happy TAILSWe can’t take all the animals home
with us, but sometimes, for the staff
at the SPCA, it’s love at first sight...
Spongebob fur-pants
now lives with Lise-Marie
On any given day, when you walk
into the office of the Communi-
cations, Education and Resource
Development Manager of the Cape
of Good Hope SPCA, Lise-Marie
Greeff-Villet, you will find the
department’s much loved feline
co-worker Spongebob.
Spongebob arrived at the SPCA
in December 2012 as a stray in
need of a permanent, loving
home. Despite his charismatic
personality and striking good
looks, this kitten couldn’t seem to
find his match. Many visitors to
the society’s adoption centre
perceived him to be aggressive,
despite staff reassuring them that
he was merely playful.
At the time of his arrival,
Spongebob was kept in the
adoption centre’s office, separate
from the rest of the kittens inside
the cattery to ensure that he
stayed healthy while waiting to
receive his vaccinations.
When Lise-Marie, an avid cat-
lover, met Spongebob, she
decided to keep him in her office
during the day, just until he was
ready to move in with the other
kittens. Little did she know that
Sponge-bob would soon charm his
way into her heart, so much so
that he never went back to the
SPCA’s cattery. Spongebob now
resides in Stellenbosch with his
new mom and dad and other
feline brothers and sisters.
Lise-Marie’s coworkers enjoy
Spongebob’s company so much,
that he now visits the office
regularly to spread some joy.
Roxy returns the favour
Roxy, a female Jack Russell pup,
came to the Cape of Good Hope
(CoGH) SPCA as a stray in October
2012.
She was so little and timid that
the kennel staff decided to keep her
in the office with them to help her
settle in and build up her confi-
dence. Sadly, despite her sweet
nature and adorable looks, no one
came forward to adopt her. That is
until the society’s accountant, Darryl
Burt, met Roxy and soon became
smitten with her. Darryl and his wife
June had lost their beloved Jack
Russell, Milo, some time back due
to kidney failure and felt that they
were finally ready to welcome
another fur-child into their lives and
In MemoriamLong standing donor and SPCA supporter
Megan Pentz-Kluyts kindly contributed
to the production of Footprints in
memory of her dog Gus.
Said Megan, “You were such a great
companion Gus, my heart will always wear
‘paw prints’ left by you, my boy. I miss and
love you, forever.”
Ferdinand the Bull
finds his Daisy
In January 2013, an 18 month old
male Nguni bull that was found
grazing unsupervised alongside a
busy road in Mitchell’s Plain, was
rescued by the Cape of Good Hope
(CoGH) SPCA and brought back to
the Society’s farmyard in Grassy Park.
Shortly before the Nguni arrived, a
calf named Daisy also took up
residence in the farmyard. She had
been brought to the farmyard by the
Swartland SPCA who had rescued her
after she had fallen off the back of an
over-laden bakkie and was left
abandoned on the side of the road by
her previous owner.
Daisy was hand-raised and there-
fore had more of an affinity towards
humans than her fellow animal
friends in the farmyard. Farmyard
workers often noticed Daisy all by her
lonesome in the farmyard. However,
when Daisy met the Nguni bull, they
instantly got along and spent their
time together.
During a visit to the SPCA, Sue
Sonnenberg from Diemersfontein
Estate in Wellington saw Daisy and
she immediately fell in love with and
adopted the young calf, leaving a sad
Nguni behind. As fate would have it,
no one came forward to claim Nguni.
CoGH SPCA CEO Allan Perrins, who
lives on the Diemersfontein Estate,
could not bear to see the inseparable
Daisy and Nguni parted and decided
that he just had to reunite them. So
he adopted the Nguni bull, now
fondly known as Ferdinand.
“Ferdinand and Daisy have
become much-loved celebrities at the
estate, where they have free-range of
the beautiful landscape and ample
grazing areas.”, said Perrins.
so they adopted Roxy. Little did they
know, Roxy would one day save their
lives, just as they had rescued her.
Darryl shared this with us:
“In just three months of being in her
new home, Roxy transformed into a
wonderfully sociable, friendly and
loyal companion. I am greeted every
evening after work with a wagging
tail - what a pleasure! She has
become confident, loyal, and
protective and seems grateful to us
for giving her a home.
This was evident in the early
hours of the morning of 1 February
2013 when while sleeping on the
floor of our bedroom, she alerted us
to burglars. Roxy bravely dashed
through the house ahead of me to
inspect and pursued the intruders as
they took off, tyres screeching.
Shortly after, the street was alive
with curious neighbours, flashing
lights and sirens. We are thankful to
Roxy for saving us by scaring off
those intruders and we are grateful
to the SPCA for allowing us to adopt
this precious animal”.
The following supporters also contributed, in memory of their beloved pets:
1.Astrid Austerfield
Dedicated to Ginza and Petra
2.Santa Morom and James Allen
In loving memory of Appel, Pikkie, Toffel and Patches
3.Phyllis Classe
In memory of Neville and Christoper
4. Liz Williamson
In memory of our friends Gordon, Scottie and Fluffy
5.Ranveer, Heidi, Zahra and Jahar Attwood-Persad
In memory of Marmelade (Graham and Heather’s cat).
23