Durban – The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) said it has noticed a number of posts across social media where people are asking the public to give their unwanted animals to them.
In a statement yesterday the NSPCA said these people usually never provide an address and will either come and fetch the pet from, ‘meet you halfway’ at a local shopping centre or petrol station to collect the animal.
“The NSPCA urges the public to please refrain from giving their unwanted animals away to strangers on Facebook, Instagram or websites such as OLX and Junkmail,” said the statement.
According to the NSPCA there is no guarantee that these people will take care of your pets as they promise.
“More often than not, these animals end up in a worse off condition. Used for breeding, as bait in illegal activities, or hoarded and neglected,’ said the NSPCA.
The organisation said the likelihood of a pet owner, who has given an unwanted animal away in this manner, ever seeing their pet again or receiving feedback about them is slim to none.
“If you are in a position where you can no longer take care of your pet, please be responsible and bring the animal to your local SPCA. The SPCA accepts all unwanted and stray animals, 24/7, free of charge,” said the NSPCA.
The organisation added that the SPCA would always act in the best interests of each animal and ensure that they are never exposed to cruelty or suffering under its care.
THE MERCURY