Sterilisation: Help stop the vicious cycle of abuse

Unsterilised animals can produce a vast number of litters of puppies and kittens over their lifetime.
There are thousands of unwanted dogs and cats in South Africa and many more that live a life of pain, suffering and neglect. Sterilisation is the only sustainable answer to curbing the horrific cases of animal abuse, overfull shelters and strays.
It is for this reason that many animal shelters do not home unsterilised animals.
Without this restriction, animals might be ‘adopted’ by unscrupulous breeders who subject dogs to a life of misery in cages, pumping out litter after litter in horrible conditions.
Dogs might also be bred to be used in dogfighting.
Sterilisation also has health benefits for animals – for example, preventing pyometra, mammary cancer and testicular cancer.

Sterilisation Assistance

Many shelters and even private vets conduct proactive outreach programmes in communities. This often includes sterilisation.
Contact your local organisations to see if they offer reduced rates for low-income earners.
There are also state veterinary clinics around the country that provide free sterilisation procedures for those who cannot afford private veterinary care. Contact your local state veterinary clinic for more information.

Myths and Facts:

•Sterilisation does not make animals lazy or less likely to alert the owner to danger.
• Certain breeds, such as Labradors, are prone to putting on weight after sterilisation and owners need to ensure that the dog receives the correct amount of food and exercise to counteract this.
• Sterilisation does not make dogs aggressive.

Why shelter adoptions aren’t free

Bringing a furbaby home is deeply rewarding – even more so if you adopt it from a shelter and give an unwanted pet a home.
But adoption should never be done impulsively. Apart from food, water and shelter, animals need love, care, exercise, stimulation and medical attention. They need to be considered when you go on holiday or move home.
People are often frustrated by the adoption procedures followed by shelters and query why adoption fees are charged. What needs to be remembered, however, is that each step in the process is there to safeguard the animal that is being handed over.
“HAWS has a responsibility to ensure that animals are homed into a safe environment under a loving and responsible owner. Many of the animals available for adoption have been rescued from extremely traumatic, abusive situations or lived on the streets.
“Some animals are handed over after owners pass away, or are unwanted when owners move abroad or to smaller properties. HAWS will take every measure to ensure that the animal is never again subjected to any form of suffering. As such, there are strict policies and procedures in place,” says Ilka van der Merwe HAWS Clinic Manager.
HAWS adoption process differs slightly for dogs, cats, horses and farm animals, but basic principles are the same.
HAWS’ adoption fees cover a pre-adoption home inspection, sterilisation, if required, deworming and vaccinations.
“People are not charged a fee for the animal, only for the procedures that are carried out. If a person is given an animal for free from a friend, the cost of the medical procedures would be far higher than what HAWS charges,” she says.

General adoption process
Step one
Visit HAWS during operating hours to view the animals they have available for adoption.
Step two
Once you have identified the animal you wish to adopt, you will be required to fill out an adoption application in person at HAWS and pay the adoption fee.
Tip: If you are renting or live in a pet-friendly complex/estate, you will be required to bring a permission letter from your landlord or body corporate.
Step three
A pre-home check will be conducted by a HAWS official.
Step four
Once your application has been approved, and the animal has been sterilised, vaccinated and is ready to meet his/her new family, you will be contacted for collection.
Step five
As HAWS wants to be assured that a ‘good match’ has been made between animal and owner and that there are no issues of concern, an inspector may carry out post-home inspections.

What to do if your dog is poisoned?

Poisoning in dogs can be serious and potentially life-threatening. Common signs include vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive drooling, difficulty breathing, lethargy or seizures. If you suspect your dog has ingested something toxic, quick action is crucial.
What to do
Stay calm: Keeping calm will help you manage the situation more effectively. Remember, poisoning is not necessarily fatal if handled promptly and correctly.
Identify the substance: Look for packaging, wrappers or any unusual items around your home. Identifying the poison will help the vet provide the best treatment.
Remove the substance: Ensure the toxic substance is out of your dog’s reach to prevent further ingestion. Contact your vet immediately for advice.
Take your dog to the vet: Time is critical. Handle your pet with care, as they may react aggressively due to pain. Approach them from the side and avoid their mouth. Transport them safely: Use a well-fitted lead for dogs that can walk, or place smaller dogs in a secure, ventilated carrier. If possible, secure the carrier with a seatbelt and bring a familiar blanket or toy for comfort. Drive safely and know the route to the clinic. Bringing someone along for support can be helpful.
Provide information to the vet: Share details about the poison, including the trade name, the active ingredient, the amount ingested and the time of ingestion. Bringing a sample or packaging of the toxic substance will assist the vet in diagnosing and treating your dog effectively.
Prompt and informed action is essential in managing poisoning cases and ensuring the best possible outcome for your pet.
Can owners treat their dogs themselves?
It is usually not recommended to treat dogs yourself, even in the initial stage. Unfortunately, when animals ingest poison, time is often of the essence to prevent organ damage and possibly death. Delaying the treatment in an attempt to treat the dogs yourself may be the difference between the vet successfully treating the dog, or the animal dying.
What are some of the signs of poisoning?
The signs of poisoning depend entirely on the type of poison ingested. For example, ingesting rodenticide (rat poison) may only result in clinical signs three to five days after the ingestion of the poison, and would result in bleeding tendencies, respiratory difficulties and a bloated abdomen, at which point it may be too late to treat the animal. Malicious or accidental poisoning with organophosphates (two-step) or snail bait may either result in acute death if a large amount of the poison is ingested or if a lesser amount is eaten by the animal, may cause dilated pupils, foaming at the mouth, muscle twitching, which then progresses to seizures, respiratory failure and death.
What type of poison is usually used on dogs?
The most common malicious poisonings are caused by organophosphates (two-step), rat poison or snail bait. Inadvertent poisoning of pets may occur if a dog product is used on a cat (various flea and tick treatments), or if an animal ingests human medication such as antidepressants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or recreational drugs. Various plants and foods may also be toxic and result in organ failure, such as ingestion of any part of the cycad plant or feeding raisins or grapes to domestic animals.

HELP! A snake has attacked my dog

Dr Paul van der Merwe, a past president of the South African Veterinary Association, says it is important that animal owners have a basic knowledge of the snakes in their area.
“This will determine your reaction,” he says. “The most important aspect of snake bites is that the snake must be identified so that the correct treatment can be given.”
If a snake bites your dog, you must rush it to the nearest vet to start treatment as soon as possible. If a snake spits in a dog’s eye, first thoroughly rinse the eye with tap water.
Not all snake bites require antivenom, but in serious cases, your dog may not survive without it. Unfortunately, stocks of antivenom in South Africa have run low. The National Health Laboratory Service has admitted that due to construction work at its facility, all manufacturing of snake, scorpion and spider antivenom has ceased.
Symptoms
There may be excessive swelling, pain, and blistering in cytotoxic bites (puff adder, Mozambique spitting cobra, rinkhals, stiletto and night adder). The sooner the antivenom is administered, the more minor the tissue damage.
Where the bite is in the face and throat area, the swelling may also hamper breathing, which is particularly problematic in small dogs. Severely envenomated animals die due to hypovolemic shock, tissue necrosis, and cell death.
Dogs often get spat in the eyes by spitting snakes, resulting in the eyes very quickly swelling closed. Immediately wash your dog’s eyes with water under a tap or with a hose pipe. Gently rinse the eyes for about 15–20 minutes, and then take your dog to a vet. In minor cases, a bit of local anaesthetic and antibiotic cream usually help, and your dog should be fine within a few days.
The African Snakebite Institute recently warned that there is a shortage of polyvalent antivenom, which is used against cobra, mamba, puff adder, Gaboon adder and rinkhals bites.

HAWS does not charge for the animals adoption – they cover the costs of the essential services done to ensure your pets’ safety and well-being.