Preventing cruelty to animals is not only the job of the SPCA but also of individuals and communities
Eight years after the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was established in Windhoek in 1949, it moved into the premises in the old Leutwein Street which it still occupies to this day, some 60 years later.
On Friday 01 September, the SPCA turned 68 and announced it has now outgrown its premises to such an extenct that it needs to relocate.
“The SPCA Windhoek is still in the process of finding new more suitable premises. We have been located at our current premises for 60 years and have now truly outgrown it. It is of utmost importance to move to new more suitable premises and facility, not only due to size and quantity of kennels available, but also to have dedicated areas to lease to other appropriate businesses to generate an additional much needed income” stated the SPCA Chief Executive, Monique Redecker.
“We will advertise extensively once all are in place. We have also identified several premises within Windhoek with the assistance of the City of Windhoek. Once all options are identified, a business proposal will be introduced to the management committee of the SPCA before a final decision is made,” she said.
As part of their month-long birthday celebrations, the SPCA said it is still their cause to help people understand the critical importance of good animal welfare and to encourage organisations to commit to animal-friendly practices, not only for animals used in recreation but even for those destined to be killed.
In this regard, the SPCA said it is investigating a local wildlife sanctuary where horse and donkeys are fed to carnivores in captivity. So far, the owners have been uncooperative.
Similarly, the National Horse Racing Association failed to improve the conditions under which race horses compete. “The National Horse Racing Association has regrettably not been willing to implement procedures for the humane treatment of horses taking part at horse racing events: i.e. humane transport, humane on and off loading, humane keeping of horses before, during and after a race, vet inspection, vet being present at a race, the appropriate treatment of any procedure when horses are hurt during or at a race” stated the SPCA.
When the SPCA was informed of the informal operation of a donkey abattoir in Outjo it investigated immediately. The treatment of animals meant for slaughter will come to a head later this month when two experts, one from the United Kingdom and the other from South Africa, arrive in Windhoek to inspect the setup in Outjo.
On a more positive note, the SPCA received confirmation from the organisers of the Ae//Gams Meat Festival that both bulls and horses used in rodeo are treated well.
“The SPCA is a non-profit organization which considers animal welfare not as the sole responsibility of the SPCA. It is also a matter of individual and community responsibility. We are therefore committed to working with individuals and communities, through educational and other initiatives, to promote greater responsibility for animal welfare,” said Redecker.
