SPCA, CAPU and HaH host spayathon
For February’s Spay and Neuter Awareness Month this year, the SPCA Windhoek, Civilian Animal Protection Unit (CAPU), and Have a Heart (HaH) Windhoek joined forces for a two-day spayathon hosted at the SPCA Windhoek’s facilities.The two-day event took place on 24 and 25 February and ensured the sterilisation of 84 cats and dogs. At any given time, three veterinary surgeons were operating on an animal each, including Dr Ian Baines with his Mobile Vet Clinic on one of the days. We had a team of over 15 staff and volunteers to ensure the smooth running of an event of this size.
The organisations targeted those pets whose families were unable to afford the cost of the sterilisation. Whereby both CAPU and HaH Windhoek had budgets specifically set aside to pay for the spaying and neutering of those pets.
Last year alone, the SPCA Windhoek took in over 4 000 new animals, many of which are unwanted litters of kittens and puppies. All three organisations agree that spaying and neutering pets aid in the reduction of unwanted litters and thus fewer animals risk ending up being abandoned or surrendered to shelters or rescue groups.
Controlling populations
Not only is spaying and neutering an effective way to help curb the overpopulation of pets, but it carries many health and behavioural benefits too. The benefits of sterilising a female eliminates the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer, and the risk of testicular cancers in male cats and dogs. It also significantly reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases in animals, in particular, TVT (Transmissible Venereal Tumour) in dogs which is a type of cancer that groups like SPCA and HaH often see in animals surrendered to the shelter or in our communities.
There are also many behavioural benefits from sterilising pets, including making animals less likely to roam because they are looking for a partner to mate with. Which makes it easier to keep our pets safe from potential accidents. Other benefits include the reduction of unwanted behaviours such as potential aggression, fighting between male pets fighting over females, spraying and marking, and vocalisations due to looking for a mate.
Then there is the positive aspect of the increase of a pet’s estimated lifespan by 3-5 years.
The three groups were excited to embark on this initiative together as all groups worked hard to ensure the success of this spayathon by volunteering to drive animals, coordinate with members of the community in need, assist with prep and recovery of animals, admission and administrative tasks, all to enable the veterinarians to sterilize the 84 animals. Everyone knows the importance of sterilising pets and due to the nature of what we all work with it was a natural collaboration.