More than 19 000 dogs and cats have been sterilised through Cape Town’s Mass Animal Sterilisation Project (MASP), with the latest campaign set to focus on communities across Subcouncil 11 from September.
Picture: CoCT/Facebook
The initiative has recorded 19 376 sterilised animals since the partnership began in 2013, with almost R9 million invested in the programme to date.
As outlined in the City of Cape Town’s latest statement, a further R850 000 has been allocated to this year’s campaign, which will target areas including Manenberg, Hanover Park, Athlone and Heideveld.
The programme is funded by the City and coordinated by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA on behalf of the Cape Animal Welfare Forum (CAWF), with seven registered animal welfare organisations expected to collectively sterilise 1 500 domestic pets.
The latest phase follows previous sterilisation campaigns in communities including Dunoon, Brown’s Farm, Khayelitsha, Wesbank, Atlantis, Wallacedene, Tafelsig, the Deep South, Macassar and Eerste River.
The focus on sterilisation also follows similar work in Khayelitsha, where Mdzananda Animal Clinic and Shelter’s recent campaign sterilised 497 dogs in six weeks, with a target of 1 000 sterilisations.
The areas are identified by the animal welfare sector, with the programme designed to address unwanted litters before they contribute to the number of animals entering shelters, rescue organisations and welfare services.
The City says the initiative has several objectives, including preventing unwanted litters, reducing animal cruelty and improving standards of animal health and responsible pet ownership.
ALSO READ:
South Africans can visit national parks for free during September
Seven organisations will take part
The September campaign will bring together seven animal welfare organisations:
- Animal Anti Cruelty League
- Animal Rescue Organisation
- Animal Welfare Society of South Africa
- Cape of Good Hope SPCA
- Manenberg Pets
- People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA)
- Vetsol
‘Sterilisation isn’t simply about reducing stray’
Picture: CoCT/Facebook
City Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham, said the campaign has grown significantly since its inception and urged residents to make use of the services available.
‘I am so pleased to see the ever-growing reach of this initiative and I want to encourage residents to please participate, for the health of their pets, and the health of their communities.’
Higham said sterilisation can also contribute to improved pet health and help reduce roaming and aggression.
She also acknowledged the animal welfare organisations involved in the programme, saying their work extends beyond the campaign itself.
For animal welfare organisations, sterilisation is being positioned as an intervention that addresses the causes of unwanted animal populations rather than only responding once animals reach shelters or rescue facilities.
CAWF Chairperson Karen de Klerk welcomed the renewed funding, saying the partnership provides an opportunity to improve the welfare of animals whose owners rely on welfare support.
Cape of Good Hope SPCA CEO Mqabuko Moyo Ndukwana described sterilisation as preventive, or ‘upstream’,work, saying it can reduce the number of future strays, surrenders and cruelty cases entering the welfare system.
‘It prevents the litters that would otherwise arrive at our gates as strays, surrenders and cruelty cases, and reduces pressure on our shelter, our hospital and our downstream inspectorate work,’ Ndukwana said.
The latest campaign is part of a programme that has operated across a broad section of Cape Town over the past 13 years.
With another 1 500 domestic pets expected to be sterilised from September, the latest phase will extend the initiative into communities where animal welfare organisations have identified a need for intervention.
Article shared by Cape Etc.
Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured.
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify
ALSO READ:
