top of page
Happy Puppy

FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS

The Randburg SPCA is a registered, non-profit organization based in Northriding, Randburg. We receive no funding from Government whatsoever.

What are the SPCA Randburg's main objectives?

  • Pet adoption – We place only healthy animals with good dispositions. All animals are spayed or neutered before thay are allowed to go to their new homes. We require that new owners maintain the proper facilities and care for the animals. We screen potential adopters very carefully to ensure that our animals find permanent homes.

  • Cruelty prevention and investigations into animal cruelty.

  • School education programs.

  • Taking in stray and unwanted pets or farm animals.

  • Pro-active investigations of establishments such as pet shops, livestock sales, circuses etc.

  • Re-active investigations of cruelty complaints.

  • Lost and found pets.

  • Animal rescue (wild and domestic animals and birds).

  • Education outreach.

  • Large and small animal pound.

How can I report animal abuse? What happens when I report a case of abuse?

  • Please make use of our contact details when reporting a case of animal cruelty - 011 462 1610 or admin@spca-rbg.org.za.

  • When we receive information on a case of animal cruelty, a trained inspector visits the scene and investigates the complaint or report. They analyse the situation and then take the appropriate action. The person that reported the abuse will be notified within 7 working days with an update of the case.

​

Read More

SAPS Guide

What should I do if I see a stray animal?

When yous see a stray animal, you can take the animal to your local SPCA. There will always be someone available to receive animals 24/7.

​

If you are unable to take the stray animal to a local SPCA, please contact us on 011 146 1620 with the necessary information. We will send an inspector to the location to assist the animal. If possible, we urge you to stay with the animal until our team arrives.

My pet has gone missing, what should I do?

  • Upload your missing pet's information on local social media groups.

  • Check with all veterinary clinics in your area.

  • Visit local animal shelters to see if someone took your pet there.

  • Put posters of your missing pet in your neighbourhood, local shopping malls and schools.

  • Always prepare for such an incident by placing collars on your pets with your updated contact details. Microchipping is vital when your lost pet is found, as the SPCA and veterinary clinics will scan your pet to see if they have a microchip.

  • Always update all of the places where you have placed notices of your lost pet as soon as your pet has been found.

What is microchipping?

A pet microchip, also known as a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT Tag) is an identifying electronic chip placed under the skin of a dog, cat, horse, parrot or other animal. The chip, about the size of a large grain of rice, uses Radio Frequency Identification technology. This enables the easy identification of the animal, and instant finding of its details (such as the animal owner and their contact information) through scanning the chip.

You can get your pet microchipped for R300 at our SPCA Randburg branch.

What are the laws regarding fireworks?

...

Read more here.

What to do about barking dogs?

Who is the SPCA Randburg?

The Randburg SPCA is a registered, non-profit organization based in Northriding, Randburg. We receive no funding from Government whatsoever.

What are the SPCA Randburg's main objectives?

  • Pet adoption – We place only healthy animals with good dispositions. All animals are spayed or neutered before thay are allowed to go to their new homes. We require that new owners maintain the proper facilities and care for the animals. We screen potential adopters very carefully to ensure that our animals find permanent homes.

  • Cruelty prevention and investigations into animal cruelty.

  • School education programs.

  • Taking in stray and unwanted pets or farm animals.

  • Pro-active investigations of establishments such as pet shops, livestock sales, circuses etc.

  • Re-active investigations of cruelty complaints.

  • Lost and found pets.

  • Animal rescue (wild and domestic animals and birds).

  • Education outreach.

  • Large and small animal pound.

How can I report animal abuse? What happens when I report a case of abuse?

  • Please make use of our contact details when reporting a case of animal cruelty - 011 462 1610 or admin@spca-rbg.org.za.

  • When we receive information on a case of animal cruelty, a trained inspector visits the scene and investigates the complaint or report. They analyse the situation and then take the appropriate action. The person that reported the abuse will be notified within 7 working days with an update of the case.

​

Read More

SAPS Guide

What should I do if I see a stray animal?

When yous see a stray animal, you can take the animal to your local SPCA. There will always be someone available to receive animals 24/7.

​

If you are unable to take the stray animal to a local SPCA, please contact us on 011 146 1620 with the necessary information. We will send an inspector to the location to assist the animal. If possible, we urge you to stay with the animal until our team arrives.

My pet has gone missing, what should I do?

  • Upload your missing pet's information on local social media groups.

  • Check with all veterinary clinics in your area.

  • Visit local animal shelters to see if someone took your pet there.

  • Put posters of your missing pet in your neighbourhood, local shopping malls and schools.

  • Always prepare for such an incident by placing collars on your pets with your updated contact details. Microchipping is vital when your lost pet is found, as the SPCA and veterinary clinics will scan your pet to see if they have a microchip.

  • Always update all of the places where you have placed notices of your lost pet as soon as your pet has been found.

What is microchipping?

A pet microchip, also known as a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT Tag) is an identifying electronic chip placed under the skin of a dog, cat, horse, parrot or other animal. The chip, about the size of a large grain of rice, uses Radio Frequency Identification technology. This enables the easy identification of the animal, and instant finding of its details (such as the animal owner and their contact information) through scanning the chip.

You can get your pet microchipped for R300 at our SPCA Randburg branch.

What are the laws regarding fireworks?

Fireworks are extremely upsetting to animals, and can in certain cases cause serious harm. Please keep your animal inside in a calm environment when fireworks are heard or seen in the area. We urge everyone to follow the law as set out by the SAPS regarding the use of fireworks, which is set out in the link below.

Read more here.

What can I do about barking dogs?

  • A dog or any other animal that causes a disturbance of the peace by incessant barking or howling, contravenes the City of Johannesburg by laws relating to dogs and cats.

  • Every person has a right to the enjoyment of their homes and property and these rights may not be arbitrarily infringed by animals causing a noise nuisance. 

  • Pet owners may be fined by authorities in terms of the NOISE CONTROL REGULATIONS IN TERMS OF SECTION 25 OF THE ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION ACT, 1989 (ACT NO. 73 OF 1989).

  • Pet owners may also have their animals impounded by the relevant municipal authorities and police officers.

  • Pet owners are advised to take reasonable and proactive steps towards preventing excessive barking. The use of shock or barking collars that use electricity as a mechanism of action in bark prevention are illegal. 

  • If you are a victim of incessant dog barking you have the following options available to you: 

      - Report to Metro Police

      - Report to City of Johannesburg Environmental Health Dept
      - Obtain an interim protection order, from District Magistrates Court (Free).​

Where does my donated money go?

Your donation will not only directly benefit the animals in our area but – through a sharing agreement between all SPCAs nationwide – a portion will be used in other, less fortunate areas to benefit animals over a wider area.

It's time to bring my puppy home. What should I do?

  • Congratulations on the new addition to your family. Having a puppy is a lot of hard word, but if you put in the time and effort, you will forge a bond that will last a lifetime. Follow the link below for a full discussion on what that you need to know and do before your pet comes come, as well as what to do in the first few weeks.

  • Read more on our blog here.

It's time to bring my adopted pet home. What should I do?

  • Congratulations on the new addition to your family. Follow the link below for a full discussion on what that you need to know and do before your pet comes come, as well as what to do in the first few weeks.

  • Read more on our blog here.

Why do I have to pay an adoption fee?

  • The fee you are paying is for the sterilisation of the animal, the vaccinations, de-worming, an ID disc and lastly a micro chip.

  • Fees are subject to change without notice.

  • All adoption procedures and adoption fees will not be negotiable.

  • Adult dogs R1000 ; Adult Cats R900; Puppies/Kittens under 6 months R1100

  • The adoption fee includes pre-home inspection, sterilization, vaccination, dewormer and microchip.

  • Should the applicant fail to come back and complete the adoption procedure within 48 hours, the animal may be homed to the next interested party and you may not receive any refunds.

  • A post-home check will be done on the animal from time to time.

  • A R50.00 fee is charged for the pre-home check and will not be refundable on any grounds of approval or non-approval of the pre-home inspection

What is the adoption procedure?

  • Before adopting an animal, please do research on the breed’s needs and behaviours.

  • The below is a guide line to the adoption procedure and is not the full procedure, please ask for a copy of the full adoption procedure from the SPCA Randburg reception desk.

  • Please take note of  SPCA Randburg’s  procedure if you would like to adopt. The adoption is not complicated but we do make sure that all procedures and paper work are done to our satisfaction and according to the APA (Animals protection act and the By-laws) and this is the best way to ensure that all our pets are homed to good, loving families. Should you have any queries regarding adoptions, please enquire at reception in person, or email us on admin@spca-rbg.org.za or call us on 011-462 1610. Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 4.00pm Saturdays 8.00 am to 1.00 pm. Closed Sundays and Public Holidays.

  •  We invite you to visit our kennels and see if there is a pet that you would consider adopting. If there is, please take note of the kennel number and inquire at the reception for further details. ( We ask everyone to please be patient in the reception area because we do get very busy and we try to attend to everyone as soon as possible )

  • With the adoption of kittens or puppies, there may be a longer waiting period of up to 21 days when they are admitted before reservations are made and/or pre-homes can be done. This is due to observation for potential diseases in the animals as they are more susceptible than the adult animals.

  • Please note: You will be asked to bring your existing pet/s into the SPCA for a compatibility test with your chosen adoption.

  • If the pet is available for adoption, our reception staff will reserve the pet for you there may be other reserves but you will still be able to put your name down as a reserve after. A pre-home form is to be completed, one of our Inspectors will inspect your premises by appointment to ensure that it is adequate and inline to the APA and by-laws for the pet you wish to adopt from the SPCA.

  • Please read the pre-home form  and adoption procedure which is handed to you when you visit to ensure the questions are completed correctly and legibly. No adoptions can be done on behalf of anyone and no collections can be done by a different party.

  • Pre-home inspections are only undertaken during working hours and the Inspector’s decision is final. We do not, under any circumstances, adopt dogs to families who do not have private gardens, whose property is not fully walled or who live in flats and cannot afford a private vet.

  • We cannot contravene the municipal by-laws by adopting into a home where there are already, or would be, too many animals.

  • Should your pre-home application be approved, you will have to come back to the SPCA Randburg within 48 hours to complete the documentation and pay the adoption fee.

  • BEFORE ANY ADOPTION IS COMPLETED AT THE SOCIETY, WE REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING: ID OR DRIVERS LICENCE, PROOF OF RESIDENCE IN THE FORM OF A UTILITY ACCOUNT, AND IF YOU RESIDE IN A COMPLEX OR IF YOU RENT WE REQUIRE AN ORIGINAL SIGNED LETTER FROM THE BODY CORPORATE OR LANDLORD STATING THAT YOU ARE PERMITTED TO HAVE AN ANIMAL ON THE PROPERTY. THIS IS NOT NEGOTIAB

  • Please note we do not refund or “swap animals” for any adoption that doesn’t work out in the new home.

  • Thank you very much for considering to adopt from our SPCA. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information.

What does an Inspector do?

SPCA Inspectors’ main duties include rescuing animals in need, investigating cases of animal cruelty or abuse, and acting on complaints from the public. They also proactively inspect the condition of domestic and other animals, including livestock, wildlife and exotic animals.

What can I do about nuisance and/or dangerous dog behaviour?

People are often at a loss as to whom to report ‘nuisance’ dog behaviour. Many are of the belief that it falls to the SPCA to deal with these issues. To help clarify what procedure to follow and whom to liaise with, here is a guide to taking the appropriate steps.

 

Firstly, it should be understood that the mandate of the SPCA is animal welfare and prevention of cruelty, as outlined in the Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962. In a nutshell, the SPCA is there to protect and preserve the emotional and physical wellbeing of ALL animals, usually from humans.

 

When an animal displays what is termed ‘nuisance’ behaviours, such as excessive barking, escaping and running loose in public, chasing people/vehicles in public, biting and/or attacking people, this falls outside the mandate of the SPCA. These are behaviours which contravene Municipal By-Laws and must be reported to the local municipality authority, which may be the SAPS or Metro Police or like in your town/province. The SPCA has no jurisdiction in these cases and can only assist the relevant authorities with impounding the animal once the legal procedures have been followed. These complaints should be made in writing to ensure a documented recording of the behaviour and if applicable have other people affected by the behaviour to also submit a written complaint.

​

Read more about what you can do with regards to dogs and nuisance and dangerous behaviour here.

bottom of page