City and partners complete successful animal sterilisation in Tafelsig | <p></p><p>The mass sterilisation campaign was managed by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA on behalf of the City’s Health Department. The SPCA is a key member of CAWF.<br> <br>‘The City of Cape Town is proud to be associated with this campaign, which ultimately contributes towards the well-being of animals in our suburbs. We initiated the first sterilisation project in 2013 by providing grant-in-aid funding to the SPCA and its animal welfare partners. Areas are identified each year and with the cooperation of communities, our animal welfare partners play a vital role in maintaining a healthy domestic pet population. We all have a responsibility to care for our pets, and to be responsible owners. By doing so, we ensure a healthy environment in communities,’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.<br> <br>Over the past five years, CAWF completed animal sterilisation programmes in the following areas and the the list below shows the year, area and number of animals sterilised:<br> <br>2016 – Atlantis – 1436<br>2017 - Atlantis – 1443<br>2018 - Wallacedene- 1448<br>2019 - Bloekombos and Wallacedene – 1500<br>2020 – Tafelsig - 1500<br> <br>The areas are identified based on best practice and a needs analyses. Since the start of the project in 2013, 11 842 animals have been sterilised.<br> <br><strong>Some of the most important benefits of sterilisation include:</strong></p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Fewer unwanted and neglected animals.</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Males no longer stray when females are in season.</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Fewer stray cats and dogs euthanased annually. </div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">A smaller burden on already over-crowded animal shelters.</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">A reduction in the destruction of property by feral animals.</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">A reduction in potentially serious or fatal injuries to people and other animals as a result of animal attacks.</div></li></ul><p> <br>In addition to the above, the programme also reduces the strain on animal welfare and veterinary hospital services and mobile clinics as sterilised pets are normally healthier.</p><p> <br>Other services, such as parasite control, were not funded from the budget allocation and was carried by the participating welfare organisations or private funders. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture provided the rabies vaccinations free of charge. <br> <br>All the key role players and participating community organisations agreed that the project was a success. The SPCA assisted in reducing the administration costs, which allowed for more dogs to be sterilised. <br> <br>‘I am so proud of the CAWF members following the completion of the City-funded sterilisation campaign. This was despite the Covid-19 pandemic, which was especially challenging as all safety protocols were adhered to at all times. This is indeed an outstanding achievement,’ said the Chairperson of CAWF, Karen de Klerk.<br> <br>‘The excellent work done by our partners in the animal welfare environment demonstrates our commitment as a caring city and our willingness to work together towards a healthier and safer environment. We would like to commend not only our partners who made this programme a success, but also the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, the Animal Anti Cruelty League, the Animal Rescue Organisation, the PDSA, the Animal Welfare Society in Philippi and EnviroVet ,’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.<br> <br> <br><strong>End</strong><br> </p> | 2021-02-23T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d | | | | | GP0|#1cb86dd3-b43c-4384-919d-154c186936b4;L0|#01cb86dd3-b43c-4384-919d-154c186936b4|SPCA;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#570939ea-8183-4f85-9e3b-e95754a208c3;L0|#0570939ea-8183-4f85-9e3b-e95754a208c3|Sterilisation syn spraying;GP0|#1f1b0782-30ab-44ac-a256-02bd98314b4c;L0|#01f1b0782-30ab-44ac-a256-02bd98314b4c|Animals | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |