Understanding the Mandate of the SPCA

Although you are always welcome to contact us(the SPCA) to advise you or help where we can or if you are unsure. It is however important to understand the MANDATE of the SPCA within the local municipality in terms of lost, found, stray or injured animals, selling, deceased and nuisance complaints. There is more to the mandate when it comes to hunting, performing animals like circus, illegal wildlife trade next to the road and more. The SPCA has authority basically in terms of the animal's welfare.

Every SPCA has a juristictional area where in they operate. Contact your nearest SPCA or the NSPCA if there is not SPCA nearby.

Some situations that may appear as though the SPCA must get involved, aren’t actually within our mandate. Our mandate is to prevent cruelty, and in a country that spans over a million square kilometres, our Inspectors must place their focus on cases where the Animals Protection Act is being contravened. We ask that you please follow these guidelines below:

Barking Dogs The mandate of the SPCA is to prevent cruelty to animals. However, the local Municipality and police in each town are responsible for complaints regarding animals causing a nuisance or disturbance of peace. We suggest that you contact your local Municipality or police station in order to lodge a formal complaint regarding barking dogs.

Stray Animals The local Municipality in each town is responsible for complaints regarding stray animals, which includes animals in the street, animals causing a nuisance or animals attacking people & other animals. Please contact your local Municipality or police station for assistance in this matter.

If a stray animal appears sick, injured or in distress, you can contact your local SPCA emergency number! Please always do!

Many SPCA's, even though it is not part of their mandate, will pick up strays and especially those that are reported as being on the street for a long period and "power breeds".

Dead Animals The local Municipality in each town is responsible for the collection of dead animals. Please contact your local Municipality for assistance in this matter.

The Selling of Animals The SPCA opposes the sale/trading of animals, however, it is not illegal to trade with domestic animals and we, therefore, have no jurisdiction to intervene unless there are welfare concerns. In this case, we need the breeder’s address to conduct an inspection.

Please report animal cruelty directly to your local SPCA. This will ensure that the animal is reached faster.

Selling of animals goes against FB community standards and should be reported to the FB group admins and FB itself.

Operations The public can bring animals to us that seems lost or who's owner did not keep them safe in their yard. For animals in danger or hurt, we will go out ASAP! Please save your SPCA's emergency number and contact them immediately. Don't send messages, but call until they respond.

Pound Period When an animal is brought to us there is a pound period. During the pound period we do not advertise animals, but owners who has lost pets can contact us, send us an email with picture and details AND visit the kennels to see if their animals were brought to us. Remember that we work with many animals a day, so it is crucial that you come in to check.

Pound period is mainly determined by the local municipal bylaws for animals. According to these local laws we can either euthanize or adopt the animal out after the pound period.

Pound periods can vary from 5 to 14 days.

Claiming an Animal Owners who claim these animals during the pound period might need to pay for sterilisation, micro-chipping, collar, ID deworming, vaccinations and pound fees per day, for their care. This will be determined by that SPCA's policy.

If an owner claims the animal after the pound period, they will need to go through the adoption process.

Surrendering an Animal If you can no longer take care of your animal, you can surrender them to us by signing a document which transfers ownership to the SPCA. Please do not let your animals suffer!

Please sterilise your pets and keep them safe in your yard.

Thank you to each who makes our work easier by donating!