150 pets sterilised in Riversdale

RIVERSDALE NEWS - Residents of Riversdale flocked to the Riverville Stadion, from Monday 9 October to Wednesday 11 October, to have their pets sterilised.

A whopping 150 dogs and cats were sterilised.

This worthwhile operation was sponsored by the Namaqua Dog and Donkey Foundation (NDDF) and organised by the Riversdale Community Animal Rescue Society (CARS).

The mass sterilisation in Riversdale was done with the assistance of Dr Annelise Roos and her team in conjunction with local animal welfare workers.

Several volunteers from the community also assisted in keeping sterilised pets comfortable and warm before their owners could take them home.

Volunteers from Riversdale and members of Riversdale Community Animal Rescue Society (CARS) as well as the Riversdale Pound who assisted at the mass sterilisation last week. Photos: Hugo Redelinghuys

The NDDF was founded by Dr Andrew Swan in 2005 following an outreach to Strydenburg in the Northern Cape to do mass sterilisation on behalf of the NSPCA. The mission was to relieve the suffering of disadvantaged animals in this area. A number of outreaches were carried out in the Northern Cape and the Witwatersrand area.

This is the realisation of Dr Swan's dream of helping the underprivileged animals in the Northern and Western Cape.

Following Dr Andrew's death in 2008, work continued in the Northern Cape with the assistance of local vets and in the Barcelona Informal Settlement on the East Rand of Johannesburg and Piels Farm south of Johannesburg.

The NDDF also funds the sterilisation of animals in these poorer areas in between the mass spayathons where animals are taken to local private veterinary practices.

Jeremy May from Bakenskop farm brought his dog, Layla, to be sterilised. With him is Sandra Lotz (CARS).

The Riversdal Community Animal Rescue Society (CARS) and members of the Riversdal Pound were also on hand to assist with the mass sterilisation at Riverville Stadion. From the left are Thinus Lotz (CARS), Alfred Cupido (Riversdal Pound), Liyanda Johannes (Riversdal Pound) and Sandra Lotz (CARS).