THE Pietermaritzburg SPCA will kick off the first day of spring with an action packed event that includes a rabies outreach program during the day followed by a night of song and dance.
Rabies, a viral disease that causes inflammation of the brain in mammals, was reported as being responsible for four fatalities this year in KwaZulu-Natal and therefore the SPCA is striving to ensure that as many domestic animals as possible are vaccinated against rabies.
“Rabies is a deadly disease that affects mammals. This means that, unlike distemper and parvo and similar diseases that can be caught by your pets but not people, rabies is a disease that kills both people and animals,” said Pietermaritzburg SPCA PRO Sandy Homan.
Homan said that even young animals can be vaccinated and that rabies injections needed to be administered annually.
“Please come along and get your beloved pets vaccinated against rabies — it could save a life!” urged Homan.
Thereafter, once the outreach work is done, the SPCA will play host to a spring dance which will take place in the evening, starting from 5pm.
“For R70 a ticket — which will contribute to SPCA outreach work — guests can dance the night away to the music of the fantastic Bev and Frank Knowles, well-known local entertainers. Come along and celebrate spring with a barn-dance twist, with open fires to chase away the end-of-winter-chill, and delicious food and refreshments including pancakes and ice cream,” said Homan.
The SPCA is a nationwide animal welfare organisation that protects all living creatures, from birds, fish and reptiles to pets, livestock and wildlife.
The SPCA branches across SA receive no support from national government and rely on their communities to stay open.
“Please come along and support our Spring Day outreach and dance, as this will help us to assist the animals in need across our area.” pleaded Homan.
For more information, contact Homan on 033 386 9267 or 076 632 6126.