Cape of Good Hope SPCA Inspector, Carina Bodenstein, joined Benito Vergotine in conversation on Monday 12 August, to unpack the strict guidelines to ensure that animals do not suffer unnecessarily during Eid-ul-Adha (Eid of Sacrifice).

Listen to the conversation here: SPCA ask for all animals to be humanely treated during Qurbani

SPCA ask for all animals to be humanely treated during Qurbani

The annual religious celebration of Eid-ul-adha (Eid of Sacrifice) is soon to be observed by the local Muslim community. This festival involves the ritual sacrifice of animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and sometimes camels. Qurbani is set to take place between sunrise and sunset from 12th – 14^th August 2019 (depending on phase of the moon).

The Cape of Good Hope (CoGH) SPCA calls on those planning to sacrifice sheep, goats or cattle to follow these strict guidelines to ensure that the animals do not suffer unnecessarily.

The role of the SPCA is to inspect facilities and animals, to offer advice, and to ensure that all animals are treated humanely in terms of the Animals Protection Act No. 71 of 1962 .

According to the Animals Protection Act (No.71 of 1962):

• All animals must be provided with adequate space, ventilation, shelter, food and water;
• All animals must be handled humanely; no animal should be picked up by its fleece, dragged, hit, chased or prodded;
• Vehicles and trailers must be suitable for the species (which must not be mixed) and non-slip flooring is necessary;
• Animals must not be tied, tethered, bound or restrained inhumanely and must not be placed in the boots of cars or sealed vehicles;
• When due to be slaughtered, animals should be laid on their sides and not on their backs to avoid distress. Animals should also not be forced to stand or kneel during slaughter;
• Knives used for the slaughter must be of suitable size and also remain extremely sharp so that the slaughtering remains as humane as possible;
• Only experienced people should perform the slaughtering. Inexperienced, lay persons who attempt to perform the slaughters often cause horrific trauma and pain to the animal.

The CoGH SPCA advises those who are inexperienced, but want to partake in Qurbani, to contact the CoGHSPCA Inspectorate on 021 700 4158/59 or after hours on 083 326 1604 for referral to experienced establishments or for any advice in terms of animal welfare.

Members of the public who do wish to perform Qurbani at their residential premises must ensure that the animals are slaughtered humanely by an experienced person. Permission must be obtained from your local City of Cape Town environmental health office. 

The SPCA strongly discourages the slaughter of cattle in places that do not have the appropriate infrastructure in place to adequately and humanely restrain the animals prior to slaughter.

We urge the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), the Halaal Trust and local farm owners to ensure the 2019 Eid-ul-adha is held not only in accordance with the Muslim religion and culture, but also in accordance with the law.

“We respectfully ask that the MJC and farm owners work together, with the SPCA, to ensure that all animals are treated with respect and compassion during this holy time,” states CoGH SPCA Senior Inspector Manager Lizl Pienaar.

SPCA Inspectors will be stationed at Qurbani farms to ensure that animals are sacrificed humanely and will encourage and offer to pre- or post-stun animals to facilitate this. They will also be monitoring the transportation, handling and housing of the estimated 5 000 animals destined for slaughter as part of this festival.