A Brooklyn animal-welfare organisation is on a mission to have more than 500 cats and dogs neutered as part of its mass sterilisation programme on Tuesday July 4.
Residents from Brooklyn, Ysterplaat, Rugby, Maitland, Phoenix and Joe Slovo are encouraged to register with African Tails this month by emailing manager@africantails.co.za or calling 021 510 7360.
The non-profit organisation is asking for a R50 admission fee that it says will help to buy more sterilisation kits, but those who can’t pay won’t be turned away.
African Tails has sterilised more than 15 000 animals since it was established in 2008, according to its general manager, Alma Schapp.
More than 140 animals from Joe Slovo were sterilised over three days in April, she said.
The organisation started after founding member Yael Sacks found a neglected puppy in Dunoon and decided to open a shelter for unwanted puppies and kittens. The organisation also has a rescue and rehoming programme and arranges for the pets of indigent owners to be treated by private vets who support the organisation.
However, according to Ms Schapp, sterilisation is at the heart of their efforts as it prevents unwanted animals from roaming the streets.
“We focus mainly on animal sterilisation, to curb the overpopulation of unwanted animals who are born into a lifetime of suffering and neglect,” she said.
Ms Schapp said the organisation usually offered a free sterilisation service in informal settlements, but it had recently seen an increase in stray dogs and cats roaming Rugby, Brooklyn, Ysterplaat, Joe Slovo, and Phoenix.
“People in these communities do not have the funds to go to a private vet, and through our investigations, animals in these areas are not prioritised,” she said.
Neutered dogs and cats were less likely to roam and have contact with other animals that might be carrying diseases, she said.
The procedure also reduced urine markings and prevented testicular cancer and cancer of the female reproductive organs.
“They tend to fight less, or have less aggression, which we find to be a good thing because the fighting leads to injuries, and the animal is then neglected because it needs extra care,” she said.
Animals brought for sterilisation would also be vaccinated for free, against rabies and other diseases, she said.
African Tails is also looking for volunteers who are 18 or older and have their own transport.
