LOCKDOWN: LOW-INCOME PET OWNERS FORCED TO GIVE UP THEIR ANIMALS

For some of us, the biggest inconvenience about a nationwide lockdown is boredom and not being able to meet up with friends for a drink. For others, it is a truly grave situation, one we would never wish upon our worst enemies. There are quite a few people, mainly on the Cape Flats in the Western Cape, who have approached the Animal Welfare Society (AWS) of South Africa, saying that they cannot take care of their pets during the lockdown, or even after, depending on what happens next.

It’s not that they don’t want to take care of their animals, it’s that they genuinely cannot afford to. Since the nationwide lockdown which commenced on Thursday, all South Africans have been instructed to down their tools and stay at home. While some are still lucky enough to get paid a salary during lockdown or work from home, others are not. 

Pet owners struggle to take care of their animals during lockdown

Cape Town AWS Resource Development and Communications officer Allan Perrins said many of the pet owners with cats and dogs are in Manenberg, Hanover Park, Mitchells Plain and Philippi. 

“We also saw pet owners from the southern suburbs like Plumstead and the surrounds,” said Perrins.

He explained that most of these people are indigent or casual workers so, for them, no work means no pay.

“They are worried about how they are going to make ends meet,” he said. 

These pet owners worry that they won’t be able to buy pet food or be able to afford medical expenses should their pets become sick or injured. 

“The really worrying trend was owners requesting to have their pets euthanised,” said Perrins. When The South African asked why, he said they don’t want their pets to suffer. 

What happens now? 

It is absolutely crucial to provide these pet owners with an alternative to euthanisation. 

Perrins said AWS has freed up some space to accommodate as many of their pets as possible until they can return to work, however, kennel space is becoming limited. 

“The best thing is to leave the pets in their [owners] care with a hand up of pet food for around a month and then reassess,” he said. 

As some receive either no income or barely-there social grants, it is imperative to help these owners and their pets during this national disaster.

“We would like to offer as many of them as possible a hand-up — not a hand-out — in the form of a bag of pet food to see them through this tough patch and to give them time to properly consider their options before parting with their pets,” he added. 

Here’s how you can help: 

• If you would like to make a donation to assist, please visit BackaBuddy: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/donate/charity/awscape
  
  
• Donate pet food. Perrins says a 25kg bag should last them through the lockdown;
  
  
• The AWS physical address for deliveries is 7 Papkuilsvlei Road, Philippi;
  
  
• Email: allanperrins@awscape.org.za;
  
  
• Contact number: 078 631 5126; and
  
  
• Emergency contact number: 082 601 1761.