Pet care

Pet Care

Vital pet care tips and information

• Please ensure that your animal is securely housed and kept inside your property. Animals are curious and if they can find a hole in the fence or even an uncovered drain, they are likely to go exploring and escape.
• Never chain your pet – chaining an animal is curelty- if for any reason you feel you have to chain or restrain your pet. Consult someone at the SPCA about how to achieve this humanely or finding a better option for your animals well being.
• Animals are a commitment that requires both time and funds, carefully consider if you are able to provide for your new pet.
• Be sure to consult a vet or the SPCA about vaccinations, nutrition or any special requirements your pet may have. Remember vaccinations happen yearly.
• Get toys for your pet and make sure they are properly stimulated with games during the quality time you spend with your pet.
• Quality nutrition is vital to the health of any animal, speak to your vet or the SPCA about quality and affordable pet foods.
• Ensure your pet has access to fresh and clean water
• Identify your dog with a collar and nametag – you can get nametags from the SPCA
• Microchipping your pet is also a good option – this you can do at the SPCA or at your local vet.
• If your dog is not used to walking on the leash – rather do not get a chain collar but a harness. Some dogs feel restricted if something is around their neck – and they learn very easy to walk on the leash rather with a harness.
• Only elasticized collars may be used for cats, because of them climbing trees etc.
• If you do not want your dog or cat to get unwanted litters – neuter/sterilize them
• Wash your pet with good shampoo – if you notice that your pet has ticks and fleas - use a tick and flea collar to prohibit tick bite fever. You can also use Front-line for ticks and fleas. This you can buy in any supermarket or at your local vet.
• Holiday time: for you it is great but your pet stays behind and can only be happy if you get a good responsible pet sitter. Please call the SPCA for pet sitters and they have also boarding facilities – but you must book well in advance to get a place for your pet. They have facilities there for dogs and cats.
  If you have a pool – rather secure it with a solid PVC Safety cover. Floating covers are death traps for your pets!!! Please do not use them if you have pets or small kids
  
• PLEASE DO NOT USE FIREWORKS IN A PUBLIC AREA – dogs/cats have a very fine hearing sense and really get very scared if exposed to such noise. Every year the SPCA gets a lot of pets in who have run amok! It brings just a lot of unnecessary stress for the animal AND the owner of the animal.

How can I help improve life for animals? Start at home! Ask yourself -

Are my dogs and other animals regularly vaccinated and de-wormed?
Do I provide a correct, healthy and stimulating environment for my animals?
Are they spayed /neutered?
If you are a breeder, or wish to purchase an animal from a breeder, are the breeding circumstances to the correct standards?
Have you ever given away an animal? Do you actually know the circumstances in which this animal is now living?
Does the new owner recognize the basic right of this animal to shelter, food and freedom of movement?

HEALTH TIPS:

Recommended vaccination program:

Dog: 5-8 Weeks: 1st Combined vaccination

09-12 Weeks: 2nd Combined vaccination

14-16 weeks 3rd Comb Vacc with rabies

Thereafter: Annual Booster

Cat: 8 Weeks: 1st Combined vaccination

10-12 Weeks: 2nd Combined vaccination

3 Months: Rabies vaccination

Thereafter: Annual Booster