SPCA First Responders are ready to assist distressed animals in the inclement weather that’s forecast to hit the Western Cape from today. The South African Weather Service has issued a Level 4 warning for disruptive rain from Thursday. A spokesperson for the SPCA, Belinda Abraham, says this ‘rain on rain’ scenario brings a real risk of flooding in low-lying areas, rockfalls, and mudslides. Residents also last week suffered, as some areas were flooded and some homes ended up under water. She says that for many animals living in the City, these warnings quickly become a harsh reality.
SPCA First Responders are ready to assist distressed animals
Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse says their team rescues soaked dogs and stranded cats, as well as horses and farm animals. At the same time, they also respond to wildlife emergencies. He added that they help baby birds tossed from their nests by gale-force winds, Cape fur seals swept ashore by raging seas, and even porcupines flooded out of their stormwater drain homes.
Pieterse says, “Whether they walk, fly, swim, or gallop — the storm affects them all.”
Abraham further added that when a disaster strikes, they work with the City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre and serve at the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) to work efficiently and prioritise their response to the animals in greatest need.
READ
Bracing for the days ahead following the issuing of a Level 4 warning for disruptive rain
Their staff also actively work in areas where flooding is imminent, where they move animals to safety. Furthermore, they evacuate trapped pets, farm animals, and stray animals in the flood zones. SPCA officers also distribute food for animals (dogs, cats, horses and farm animals) and blankets in the hardest hit areas. They work 24/7 to respond to the crisis. Additionally, they provide warm shelter, food, and medical care for flood victims.
READ MORE: SPCA – When the Waters Rise, So Must We
