Welcome to the Durban & Coast SPCA

The Adoption Process
We at the SPCA try to ensure that our orphans go to quality homes – to responsible, caring owners that can afford their care and will provide a safe and loving environment. These animals desperately need to be placed with caring new owners. Please contact us on 031 - 579 6525 and ask for the Kennels Department in order to discuss the adoption process with our staff or contact Juliet on juliet@spcadbn.org.za for more info. Our Society has a strict sterilisation policy, whereby pets are only re-homed after being spayed or neutered. This in a small way reduces the enormous problem of overpopulation that ultimately leads to abuse and neglect of these animals – the very reasons why our organisation exists. Spay and neuter programmes are hailed as expedient methods of pet population control. Sterilised pets cannot breed and procure puppies/kittens, which may end up in our shelters to be adopted or euthanased.

The adoption fee charged is necessary for the SPCA to recoup some of the expenses incurred to shelter, feed, innoculate, deworm and sterilise the animal. The willingness on the part of the new owner to pay this nominal fee reflects their commitment to their new companion, and also indicates that they are able to afford the costs of basic care for the pet in the future. No one should rush into getting a pet without very carefully considering the responsibilities that getting a new animal will involve. Can your lifestyle accommodate these new responsibilities? Some issues to consider are: Can you afford innoculations and other sometimes-costly veterinary bills? Can you take your dog for regular walks? Can you provide an escape-proof, spacious garden where your dog can play? Can you afford to sterilise your pet? Can you put up with your cat damaging your furniture? Can you afford to board your pet if you cannot take it on holiday with you? Can you be with your pet for most of the day? Once you have decided that you are ready for this new addition to your family, your pet-owning experience is likely to be one of the most rewarding and enriching of your life!
THE ADOPTION OPTION
HAVE YOU ADOPTED A PET FROM THE SPCA ? If so, we would love to hear from you!
Please send your adoption story and a photograph of yourself with your pet either by e-mail direct to the editor or mail to our marketing manager, Caroline, at the SPCA on caroline@spcadbn.org.za
Shirley Forrester Smith says: “My Dad, Mr G L F Smith, adopted Jackie on 17 July. She’s a beautiful dog and has settled down really well. We are so happy that we were able to adopt her. Snowy, my white cat, whom I adopted in 1996, has accepted Jackie. As for Jackie, she mainly takes little notice of Snowy, who keeps a safe distance because he is not at all sure whether he really likes being licked on the face! Our special thanks go to Adoptions staff members, Debbie, Miriam and Juliet, for their assistance. It was Juliet who showed us Jackie. Bless you all.” Shirley also sent us a second photograph showing Jackie stretched out blissfully at length on her new master’s bed. Ed.

Corrie Verbaan took this photograph of Peggy Verbaan with Bully (adopted from the Dolphin Coast SPCA after Peggy had seen his photograph in the Northglen News) and Schminzy (adopted from the Durban & Coast SPCA). Corrie sent us a copy of the old cutting from the newspaper that had drawn Peggy to adopt cute little Bully.

This cross-breed male puppy stole the hearts of Ryan Beavon and Rozana Nell. Here he is with his new owners. He is now named Rufus and is just a little anxious still, but is sure to thrive once he gets to his loving new home and settles down.