Welcome to the NSPCA’s Week in Review!
We know how much you care about animal welfare in South Africa, and we don’t want you to miss any important updates. But life gets busy, and scrolling through Facebook isn’t always a priority. That’s why we’re bringing the latest animal welfare news and social media highlights straight to you, every week.
Welcome to this week’s edition of the NSPCA’s Week in Review!
We’ll Say It: “Sorry, We’re Full” Is Inhumane
Turning away vulnerable animals doesn’t protect them. Rather, it dooms them to even greater suffering. A recent case saw a surrendered dog rejected by an NPO, later found tied to a tree without food, water, or shelter. Many abandoned animals face starvation, accidents, or cruelty.
Animal welfare organisations that accept public funds must serve all animals in need, not just a select few. Refusing to take in animals is a betrayal of trust, and “no-kill” policies often prioritise human emotions over animal welfare. While humane euthanasia is a last resort, it is far kinder than allowing animals to endure neglect, pain, or abuse.
The SPCA will always be here, providing compassion and care for every animal in need
Your Voice on Social Media
Our supporters play a vital role in speaking out for animals. Here’s what some of you had to say this week about our story that highlighted our dedication to taking in all stray and surrendered animals:
- “Accept the animal, even if it means euthanasia you at least know the outcome and you can sleep at night knowing where that animal is not worrying day in and day out.” – Facebook/Joanne Wilson
- “Thank you for everything that you do ❤️.” – Instagram/@meganjadeharris
- “There is nothing humane about pretending shelters have limitless capacity. Ethical rescue work means making tough decisions to prevent suffering—not ignoring reality while animals pay the price behind closed doors.” – Facebook/Ancois van Zyl
Photo of the Week
National Inspector Govender of the Special Projects Unit, in Virginia, Free State, where the Unit spent some time on an outreach to engage with pitbull owners.
Bringing Hope to Pitbull Owners in Virginia
Positive change comes from engagement! Our Special Projects Unit and Virginia SPCA recently connected with Virginia’s community in the Free State, focusing on pitbull welfare. Through home visits, our Inspectors empowered owners with knowledge on pet care, nutrition, and providing medical needs.
This wasn’t just about inspections, it was about supporting families to give their pets the love and care they deserve.
We were inspired by the community’s dedication and will return soon to continue uplifting both pets and their owners. A huge thanks to Virginia SPCA for their support!
Millions of Birds Will Suffer and Die as Avian Influenza Threat Looms
South Africa faces an Avian Influenza (AI) crisis, and government inaction could lead to widespread suffering for birds. The NSPCA warns that without urgent intervention, another outbreak will devastate the poultry industry and threaten wild bird populations.
Culling infected birds is the fastest way to stop the spread, but vaccination can also help prevent outbreaks. Despite repeated calls for action, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has yet to respond.
“This is an animal welfare and economic crisis,” says NSPCA’s Senior Inspector, Nazareth Appalsamy. The NSPCA, backed by the South African Poultry Association, urges the government to revise restrictive vaccination regulations and implement humane culling measures.
With migratory birds returning, the risk grows daily. The NSPCA demands immediate government action to prevent another outbreak. The time to act is now, before it’s too late.
Some light-hearted news and reminders to end the week!
We are incredibly grateful to Firebreak SA for once again servicing our fire hydrants for free. Firebreak SA have been offering us their services free of charge for many years. Thank you, Firebreak SA!
In case you forgot, we recently launched our new and exciting WhatsApp channel. Follow our channel for the latest news and updates and make sure you never miss out on important stories and the latest breaking news. You can join our channel by clicking on the link below.
Another exciting new venture for us is “NSPCA Today” – South Africa’s very first animal welfare news podcast. We offer short, impactful episodes featuring behind-the-scenes insights from our dedicated Inspectors. There are two ways to listen to our podcast. Follow our Spotify channel or visit our website.
Our first episode delves into the world of dogfighting and how our Special Units Project is determined to end this cruel practice. Our second episode features Sanam Naran, a renowned counselling psychologist. We chatted with Sanam about the rise of animal cruelty on social media. Keep an eye (and ear) out for our next episode!
That’s a wrap for this week’s Week in Review! If these stories resonated with you, check out the full articles and join the conversation on our social media pages.
📲 Join our WhatsApp channel for on-the-go newsbytes.
Your support helps us continue making a difference for animals – whether by sharing our updates, raising awareness, or donating to our cause. See you next Sunday for another Week in Review!
If you are as passionate about animals and their well-being as we are, consider supporting our causes by donating.
