Welcome to the 20th edition of our Week in Review.
Twenty weeks of shining a spotlight on the stories that matter, the voices that demand to be heard, and the animals who inspire us to fight harder.
The NHRA finally blinks under pressure, the spirit of friendship takes centre stage in our Relief for Cats and Dogs Project, and the legacy of a tiger lost too soon stirs fresh resolve. We’re also lifting the lid on lab enrichment (yes, unsalted popcorn for rodents is a thing) and sounding the alarm on the rise of online animal cruelty. Read on.
Reining in the Silence: NHRA Finally Blinks, But Will They Bite the Bit?
The National Horseracing Authority (NHRA) has finally responded and they say they’re “willing to meet.” We say: it’s time. Now, it’s up to the NHRA to show up, sit down, and begin the hard work of real reform.
For too long, cruelty has been allowed to fester behind the glamour of horse racing – foals pushed before their bodies are ready, excessive whipping, substances to mask pain, and horses discarded once unprofitable. This is not sport. It’s suffering.
The NSPCA is demanding a strict, enforceable Rules to protect racehorses from systemic abuse and neglect. Our national #ReinInThePain campaign continues to gain traction, fuelled by growing public support.
➡️Sign our petition here and share it with others.
Your voice on social media
- “Great news. Imagine that a percentage of all owners winnings had to be paid to cart horses protection / SPCA” – Facebook/Nikki Warnes
- “Hold tightly to those reins, SPCA! Hold TIGHT!” – Facebook/Annie Conway
On International Friendship Day, Be the Friend They’ve Been Waiting For
This International Friendship Day, we’re celebrating the friends who need us most — the voiceless, vulnerable animals in our communities.
Through our Relief for Cats and Dogs Project, the NSPCA delivers vital veterinary care and humane education to areas with no access to such services. From basic medical treatment to guidance on responsible pet ownership, this project is a lifeline for countless animals living in hardship.
For just R50 a month, you can become a Project Partner and help us bring relief where it’s needed most. On a day about friendship, stand up for those who can’t ask for help — but who feel it when it’s given.
A Tale of Two Tigers: Honouring Rays, Remembering Aries
On International Tiger Day, the NSPCA and Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary honoured the life of Rays, a rescued tiger whose birthday, 29 July, symbolises both celebration and remembrance. The date was chosen to honour Aries, Rays’ spirit-brother, who was tragically killed for the tiger bone trade before he could be saved.
This collaborative campaign served as a powerful reminder of what we’re fighting for: an end to the exploitation of big cats, and protection for those still at risk.
Rays represents resilience. Aries reminds us why we can never stop.
This wasn’t just a birthday — it was a call to action. 🧡
Beyond the Lab: Fighting for Joy, Even in Research
Did you know that animals used in research must receive environmental enrichment?
Enrichment goes beyond the basics: Providing animals with stimulation, comfort, and the ability to express natural behaviours. From gnawing blocks for rodents to scratch posts for pigs and pebbles for fish, it’s about improving quality of life, even in laboratory settings.
Our Animal Ethics Unit ensures these standards are upheld through independent inspections of research facilities nationwide. Some even feature “playrooms” with hay, tunnels, and climbing frames!
Animal research is complex, but while it continues, the NSPCA fights to ensure that every animal involved is treated with dignity and care.
Support the work:
👉 nspca.co.za/adopt-a-project/animals-in-science
See It? Report It. Don’t Share It.
Online animal cruelty is on the rise and we need your help to stop it. The NSPCA investigates many cases that first surface on social media, but harmful content spreads fast, and we can’t be everywhere at once.
If you come across cruelty online:
1️⃣Don’t engage or share – it only amplifies the content.
2️⃣Report it using the platform’s in-app tools.
3️⃣Submit reports to SMACC: smaccoalition.com/report-it-hub
4️⃣If it may be local, report it to us directly: 📩 nspca@nspca.co.za or nspca.co.za/report-cruelty. Include details: links, usernames, screenshots—every bit helps.
Thank you for being our eyes and ears. 💙
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.
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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.
Latest News Posts
Will You Be the One Who Takes Action?
Most people will scroll past this. But will you be the one who stands up for animals?
Animal welfare isn’t always in the spotlight, but it changes lives – for every neglected, abused, or suffering animal we help. Our teams work tirelessly, often behind the scenes, ensuring animals across South Africa are protected.
This work is relentless. The challenges are immense. But with more hands, hearts, and resources, we can do even more.
The equation is simple: the more supporters we have, the greater our reach, the stronger our impact.
Be part of the change. Become an NSPCA Project Partner today. From just R50 per month, you can help ensure that no animal suffers in silence.
